Goroke Integrated Early Years Expansion Project
- Project typeFacility upgrade
About the project
West Wimmera Shire Council is progressing early investigations into the development of childcare services in Goroke. Access to childcare has been identified as a priority for local families and a key focus in the West Wimmera Shire Council Plan 2025–2029.
Council will apply for funding for the expansion of the existing Goroke Kindergarten to support a future long day care service for children aged 0 to 5 years.
Draft concept plans have been developed to help explore what may be possible if funding is secured through the Australian Government’s Building Early Education Fund. These are not final designs, but provide an early indication of how the existing site could be adapted and expanded to accommodate a combined kindergarten and long day care service.
Proposed scope of works
The early concept design work focuses on expanding and upgrading the existing Goroke Kindergarten site to support a future integrated early learning facility.
The concept includes a proposed new childcare wing, which will include a childcare room, infant sleep room, children’s lunch area, junior bathroom facilities, a sensory space to support inclusive learning, and additional storage, laundry and support areas.
Upgrades to the existing kindergarten building are also being explored. These include refreshed internal finishes such as new flooring, lighting, heating and cooling improvements, painting and minor refurbishment works. The concept includes improved staff amenities and dedicated staff and educator break areas.
Outdoor and site improvements form part of the concept planning, including new covered outdoor play areas for both kindergarten and childcare spaces, a new outdoor storage shed, and updated fencing to support safe and secure play environments. Additional parking is also being considered, including accessible parking with compliant pathways. Upgrades to essential services, such as wastewater systems and stormwater infrastructure, are also included within the concept.
These concept plans will support Council in understanding feasibility, informing future decision-making and strengthening any potential funding applications should the project progress.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
Why this project is important
Expanding the Goroke Kindergarten site has the potential to make better use of an existing community facility while adapting it to meet current and future needs.
The availability of childcare can also influence whether families choose to stay in or move to a community, with flow-on effects for population stability, local participation and long-term community vitality. Providing fit-for-purpose early learning spaces contributes to a more resilient service system that can better respond to changing demand over time.