Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Childcare Centre, Minlaton, has reached the final stages of construction, with builder Romaldi Constructions soon expected to issue certificate of occupancy.

This is a major milestone for the purpose-built facility, which will operate as Minlaton Family Centre.

Minlaton Family Centre will soon commence scheduling of family orientations ahead of a new target opening date during term two.

Yorke Peninsula Council and operator Yorke Peninsula Learning and Care, which also runs Maitland Family Centre, had originally planned to open Minlaton Family Centre in term one. However, the project has encountered unforeseen construction delays beyond the control of either party.

“Completion of the build is taking longer than expected, and we thank all parties, especially our local parents, for their understanding,” Council CEO Andrew Cameron said.

“Council has been in regular communication with the builder and the project superintendent throughout this major project, and has escalated its involvement across many months now to ensure construction is finished as soon as practicably possible.

“We have been told the project is on track for the revised opening date during term two.

“While this is later than originally hoped, this facility will provide life-changing services for local families for many years to come.

“The community support for this project has been outstanding, diluting any frustrations we may be feeling about the protracted delivery of the project.

“We very much look forward to seeing all those smiling faces on the children who enter the building on opening day.”

Remaining aspects of the Minlaton Family Centre build generally relate to external aspects, such as playground areas and boundary fencing.

Yorke Peninsula Learning and Care already employs 49 staff across Maitland and Minlaton, not including management. Almost 30 staff members are studying, or enrolled in, Certificate III or higher in Early Childhood Education.

The Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Childcare Centre project was developed through a partnership between Council and the SYP Childcare Feasibility Group, led by local parents.

Through the initiative, a disused building in Maitland has been renovated and reopened as Maitland Family Centre, offering 40 childcare places. At full operation, Minlaton Family Centre will create 80 places, equating to 120 additional children in care each day.

This represents a major increase from just 18 places that were available per day in the Yorke Peninsula Council region previously.

The Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Childcare Centre has been funded through the Federal Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.

Enrol your child/ren at Maitland or Minlaton, or find out more information, via Home – Yorke Peninsula Learning & Care (yorkepeninsulalearningandcare.au) or call (08) 7524 0341.

Yorke Peninsula Council is reminding campers to dispose of their rubbish responsibly after illegal dumping took place at several of its Bush Camping locations.

While most people did the right thing over the Easter long weekend, Council staff were left to clean up litter at several campgrounds.

Bin banks are provided a short distance from each campground and campers, and day visitors, are encouraged to use these bins or take their rubbish home.

The bin banks are strategically located away from the camping areas to prevent overflow and littering within the natural campground settings, where wind and animals could spread waste into the fragile dune systems.

Council went to significant lengths to accommodate the influx of visitors during the long weekend, arranging for seven skip bins to be placed at various campgrounds.

Additionally, 78 extra street bins were placed at designated locations, resulting in a total of 430 street bins across the Council region, most of which received second collections throughout the weekend.

“These proactive measures are designed to maintain the beauty of our campgrounds and reduce expenses incurred by Council due to illegal dumping,” Mayor Darren Braund said.

“The extra bins will stay in place until the end of the April school holidays.

“Leaving any type of rubbish at the campgrounds may result in a fine of up to $1000 being issued.

“Illegal dumping not only harms the environment but also increases the cost of maintaining our campgrounds.

“We understand that most campers are responsible and care about our environment; however, it only takes a few individuals to ruin the experience for everyone.

“We urge all campers to be mindful of their waste and dispose of it properly in the provided bin banks.

“Let’s all do our part to protect and preserve our beautiful Bush Camps for generations to come.”

To find out more about Council’s Bush Camping locations visit https://yorke.sa.gov.au/discover/things-to-do/bush-camping/