The Advertiser BY GOYA BENNETT

21 Jul, 2010 12:00 AM

“THE only community-run child-care centre in Hobsons Bay could fold if a church proceeds with plans to build a bigger centre next door.

Williamstown Child Care Centre Co-operative, which opened in 1986 with 22 children, has objected to a proposal for a 79-place centre behind StAndrew's Presbyterian Church.

The co-op has joined Cecil Street residents, the latter having major traffic concerns, in lodging an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal......

.... "Obviously, we recognise there is significant demand for child care and kinder places in the Williamstown region, but it would be a great shame for this to be achieved at the expense of our well-established, community-owned and operated centre," she said.

"We believe both centres can co-exist and meet the requirements of the local community. We're at risk of actually having to relocate, ultimately, because we can't expand on our current site."

Ms Joske said new child-care regulations, including smaller child-staff ratios and bigger outdoor space requirements, meant the co-op either had to expand or lose four children.

She said the co-op had presented two expansion proposals to St Andrew's, but both had been rejected. "We're a community centre with just 42 places that caters to all socio-economic groups within Williamstown," she said."

http://www.themail.com.au/news/local/news/general/hobsons-bay-childcare-plans-clash/1890968.aspx