MEDIA RELEASE: Moonee Valley’s $20-million ‘kinder surprise’

The announcement of more than $20 million in Victorian Government funding for upgrades to five Moonee Valley kindergartens will see more than 500 new kinder places become available in the inner north-west municipality by 2028-29. 

The Building Blocks Partnership, a joint venture between the Victorian Government and the City of Moonee Valley, was announced today by Victoria’s Minister for Children, Lizzie Blandthorn. 

Minister Blandthorn announced funding for major upgrades to centres in Keilor East, Essendon, Ascot Vale and Airport West. 

The capital works will be staggered across four to five years, and ultimately provide up to 523 extra places across the five kindergartens. 

Three of the projects will be delivered by the Victorian School Building Authority, and two by the City of Moonee Valley.  

Work is scheduled to begin on a new Montgomery Park Kindergarten this year without disruption to the existing site. Other sites to be redeveloped include Coronation, Lincolnville, Milleara Gardens and Airport West kindergartens. Details of project timelines can be found on Council’s website.  

Moonee Valley is one of 14 municipalities to receive funding under the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks Partnerships, which will see more than 11,000 extra three- and four-year-old kindergarten places provided across Victoria. 

Minister Blandthorn said the Moonee Valley upgrades would give “more families in Melbourne’s north-west access to great local kinders closer to home.” 

“An investment in kinder is an investment in our children’s future,” she said. 

The news was welcomed by Moonee Valley City Council Mayor, Cr Pierce Tyson. 

Mayor Tyson said the works would enable the council to meet the evolving needs of the Moonee Valley community, with capacity at four of the five kindergartens set to triple. 

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Victorian Government for recognising, and responding to, our growing need for kindergarten places in Moonee Valley,” Mayor Tyson said. 

“By 2028-29 we will have up to an extra 523 places and up to a total of 811 places once the works at these five kindergartens are complete – that’s a 180% increase on what is currently available.” 

More information on the rollout of the works and enrolment arrangements for each facility can be found at mvcc.vic.gov.au/kindergartenredevelopment 

 

 

ENDS 

Media enquiries: 

Jo Roberts, Team Leader, Media and Strategic Communications 

Mobile 0437 641 392 | Email: media@mvcc.vic.gov.au