An application for a childcare centre in Nirimba offering 130 places has been submitted to Economic Development Queensland by Nirimba ELC Property One Pty Limited.

The centre will be located on a 3200sqm block at the corner of Nirimba Drive and an unformed road – just 200m south of Nirimba State School and 100m north of Banya Avenue.

Once completed, the childcare centre will be part of a larger community hub that includes a retail centre, civic park, and recreation park, all connected to the Aura Brook.

According to the development application, the facility will feature eight playrooms, each leading to a spacious outdoor play area, with parking located on the southern side of the site.

According to the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA), more government funding is required to make childcare accessible to families, but the newly announced universal early education and care (ECEC) system was encouraging.

The Government has a $1 billion fund to build ECEC centres including in the outer suburbs and regional Australia; an entitlement for all children to have at least three days’ subsidised ECEC each week; and a $10.4 million project to establish a data-driven understanding of reasonable childcare costs.

A new $10 million grant has also been declared, designed to maximise uptake of the worker retention payment.

ACA president Paul Mondo said he was “optimistic” about what the announcements could mean for the childcare sector and parents utilising childcare.

“ACA commends the Government’s decision to guarantee all families at least 72 hours of
subsidise care per fortnight, regardless of their activity levels as part of the early education guarantee,” Mr Mondo said.

“ACA has long advocated for the removal of the activity test, which the Productivity Commission report found to be a barrier to access for low-income families and does little to incentivise labour force participation.

“The 72 hours of subsidised care will be a very positive step forwards in improving
outcomes for vulnerable children.”