Wednesday, 18 March 2026

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:56): (2239) My question is to the Minister for Children. Many San Remo residents are deeply concerned about the Allan government’s decision to locate a day care centre on Shetland Heights Road. They say that the minister’s choice is unsafe, it is noisy, it lacks adequate parking and it does not meet community needs. Locals strongly argue the government ignored a clear direction and preferred location for the San Remo Primary School and preschool precinct. The co-location would have delivered – will, should deliver, if the government agrees to it – efficiency and convenience for working families. The government refused Bass Coast council’s application on behalf of San Remo Preschool, which sought to expand its facilities to meet the demand for three- and four-year-old kinder. Overwhelmingly the feedback on the current chosen site is it is unsuitable. Minister, will you commit to working with the San Remo community to establish a childcare centre in a location that best serves the communities now and into the future, knowing also that we exist in a childcare desert in this region?