Geelong electorate early parenting services
Mr EREN (Lara) (09:44): The fantastic member for Geelong and I hosted the Premier in my electorate last Friday to officially turn the sod on Barwon Health’s new early parenting centre at the McKellar Centre in North Geelong. New mums and dads will soon have better access to early parenting support in a purpose-built facility, with construction now underway for this centre. The new centre will have 10 residential units, four day-stay places, a kitchen, a dining area, play rooms and outdoor play areas. It is designed to help families with children up to four years of age develop their relationships and achieve their parenting goals. It will also provide parents and carers with the advice and care they need, including support with sleep and settling, feeding and extra care for babies and toddlers with additional needs. The facilities, exteriors, kitchen and dining area and residential family units have been carefully considered to create a safe and serene environment where families can feel at home. The centre is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with Barwon Health and Tweddle Child and Family Health Service. Construction is expected to be complete at the end of 2023, hopefully, and it will be delivered as a part of the Andrews Labor government’s $148 million investment into expanding and upgrading the early parenting services network. This is about helping local families get the support they need to give their children the best start in life. I am very proud that it is being built in my electorate to ensure services are accessible for those in the community that need them the most.