Labor MPs Jackie Jarvis and Jane Kelsbie weigh in on Shire of Augusta-Margaret River childcare decision

The region’s two new Labor MPs have called on the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River to follow through on support for a much-needed volunteer-run childcare project in Augusta. Augusta residents and the Augusta and Districts Community Childcare proponents were shocked last month when the council voted to offer $50,000 to support family daycare options in the seaside hamlet rather than follow through on protracted discussions about how to support the community project. Spearheaded by former tourism executive Jasmine Meagher and a band of dedicated volunteers, the childcare group first sought the Shire’s help in 2020 when COVID-19 stimulus grants were in the offing. Instead, after two years of bureaucratic wrangling — which included a $100,000 commitment from Labor during last year’s State election — the Shire decided the cost to upgrade the Augusta Recreation Centre was too much. Meanwhile, the Shire council had also approved an $8 million loan during the past year to fund a reroofing project for Margaret River’s Recreation Centre. Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie and Upper House MLC Jackie Jarvis told the Times they were disappointed in the council’s childcare decision. A letter from Ms Jarvis to the Shire obtained by the Times spoke of the tyro MP’s disappointment. After the August 24 council meeting Ms Jarvis wrote to elected members saying she was “perplexed” the Shire would seek State or Federal funding to upgrade its own asset. Ms Jarvis also outlined drawn-out correspondence with the Shire about its funding needs and the childcare service in the lead-up to the 2021 election in which colleague Ms Kelsbie secured the aforementioned funds from Premier Mark McGowan’s team. “At no stage did the staff indicate that the Shire would not be willing that complete the required upgrades to the Shire-owned building, nor did the Shire ask us to remove the notation that the Shire was to provide $400,000,” Ms Jarvis said in the email. “While I appreciate that the total projected cost presented to Shire councillors may be higher than the initial $400,000 estimate, it is my understanding that the Augusta & Districts Community Childcare Inc. could make the required upgrades to make the property suitable for use as a childcare centre for less than $400,000.” Ms Kelsbie told the Times the centre was “a much-needed facility, with an incredible amount of local support, and I am disheartened that the council has now decided to withdraw its commitment”. Ms Jarvis said the Augusta centre needed upgrades and the Shire was not on the hook to fund the service itself. In response, Shire president Paula Cristoffanini justified the backdown by saying “nobody could have anticipated or controlled the escalating costs that led to council’s most recent decision”. “Council is fully aware of the need for childcare in Augusta and genuinely understands the community’s interest in seeing childcare services being provided,” she said. Cr Cristoffanini and acting chief executive Graeme Davis met with the childcare group last week. The Shire president reiterated the possibility of seeking State or Federal funding or looking at the recreation centre upgrade as part of civic works next year.