Shire of Augusta-Margaret River offers $50,000 pool to help family daycare operators in Augusta amid crisis

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River is following through on a council decision to offer at least five family daycare operators start-up funds to address a childcare crisis in Augusta. A pool of $50,000 with a maximum draw of $10,000 per applicant was advertised this week “for individuals seeking to establish family daycare businesses in the Augusta area”. The move comes amid uproar in the Augusta community after the council voted not to continue consideration of a perceived costly redevelopment of the town’s recreation centre to accommodate an existing volunteer-run service which got off the ground in 2020 because of a serious shortfall in childcare services. Critics of the council decision said family daycare was not a feasible option because if there were operators already, the Augusta and Districts Community Childcare group never would have formed. However, ADCC also rejected a previous offer to refurbish a Department of Communities house on Hillview Street because it was inadequate to host the growing number of families seeking childcare. Daycare applicants were urged to contact Shire corporate and community services director James Shepherd directly for advice on grant access. “This is a great opportunity for anyone considering starting their own family day care business to get started,” Mr Shepherd said. “The Shire have been working with the Augusta community to help facilitate a childcare solution for some time. “With council seeking to balance the needs of the community with budget constraints, this was deemed the most appropriate way to move forward,” he said. “It provides a great opportunity to build capacity and facilitate the creation of new businesses that support the community’s needs.” Visit amrshire.wa.gov.au/grants for more.