The Tasmanian Government has confirmed construction planning is officially underway for the new Huonville Early Childhood Education and Care Centre.
The purpose-built centre will be co-located with Huonville Primary School and will provide 200 places for local children and families once complete in the first half of 2028.
The project is being jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Building Early Education Fund, the Tasmanian Government and Huon Valley Council.
Huon Valley Council Mayor, Sally Doyle (pictured, far right) said the new purpose-built centre will replace the current council-owned childcare known as the ‘Cottage’ and nearly double its capacity.
“This is a great milestone for Huonville and the wider Huon Valley. Council has long advocated for greater investment in early learning, and with funding and approvals now locked in thanks to our partnership with the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, we’re excited to be officially underway,” said Mayor Doyle.
“Once complete, the centre will give many more local families access to quality, affordable early learning, closer to home.
“This isn’t just great news for families needing affordable, high-quality childcare – it’s also a boost for the local economy. In addition to the construction jobs, the centre will generate up to 10 new full-time childcare roles once it is fully operational, providing meaningful opportunities into the future.”
Tasmanian Minister for Education, Jo Palmer said the new centre will not only provide hundreds of families access to childcare but support a smooth transition to school as children in the Huon Valley reach Kindergarten age.
“As part of this partnership, five other new long day care centres for birth to five-year-olds will be constructed on school grounds in regional areas where there is a clear need,” said Ms Palmer.
“Services will be built at Westbury Primary and St Marys District School in the North, and Rosetta Primary, Bruny Island and Bothwell District High Schools in the South.”
With statutory planning approval in place, funding secured, and concept design proposed, the project is moving to the next critical stage.
A multi-stage tender process is underway to seek a contractor to finalise the design and then build the new centre, with an appointment expected in late 2026. Final designs will be shared with the community as they take shape.
Council has selected the preferred tenderer and expects to formally appoint the builder in the coming month. Construction is scheduled to start by mid-2027 and finish by mid-2028.
The community can keep up to date on this project by visiting Huon Valley Council’s dedicated project page on Engage Huon Valley: engage.huonvalley.tas.gov.au/huonville-early-childhood-education-centre.
