Access to early childhood services and support groups is about to get easier in Taree following the announcement of the First Steps Count Child and Community Centre.
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Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead and NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro met with representatives from the First Steps Count committee on Wednesday, January 16 to handover $2.5 million from the NSW Government towards the establishment of the centre.
Committee member Sue Russell said the centre will have a positive impact on local mothers and their children.
“It means to me the end of 10 years of hard slog so it’s great to have this new venture opening up.
“It doesn’t belong to any of us, it belongs to all of us which I think is what I love the most and the fact that every single person in our community has input,” Ms Russell said.
The centre will be built on Myall Avenue in Taree.
“The area that we are building is between two social housing estates and it’s an area that often gets forgotten.
“We see this as the best asset because it will be in one place and be in the place where the community is,” Ms Russell said.
Ms Russell said there will be no formal entry, meaning mothers and their children can access all areas of the centre as they please.
“There won’t be some of the stigma that gets attached to accessing services in a small town,” Ms Russell said.
“Our services and programs will come to them.”
Fellow committee member Michelle Wilkes was at a loss for words when talking about the services that will be available.
“What a historical moment for the Taree community and for children,” she said.
“Our motto is about strong children and families.
“It will be a one stop shop for community members so it’s about our children, about our families and giving people an opportunity in our community to be able to help close that gap as well,” Ms Wilkes said.
Mr Bromhead said the project will bring existing medical and social services together in the same location while also providing space for other supporting agencies.
“This is a facility that will be built in Taree to help mothers when they are pregnant, early childhood with their children.
“This is important for the Taree community because we have so many people who have needs and need help.
“We have so many people who have never been a parent before, they’ve never known how to raise a child, struggling and trying to raise a child when all they need is the people and government agencies to help them.
“If need be, the mothers can stay at the facility with their child so they can learn the best parenting techniques available.
“I’m very proud of what the community has been able to achieve,” Mr Bromhead said.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the centre will help with the challenges faced by young mothers in accessing services in regional areas, such as Taree.
“In regional NSW one of the challenges we face, unlike in metropolitan areas, is a lack of services.
“Our services are often very unique and what is important is we actually find innovative ways to deliver services.
It doesn’t belong to any of us, it belongs to all of us which I think is what I love the most and the fact that every single person in our community has input.
- Sue Russell
“What First Steps Count will do is bring together a range of services from across the region to support local families,” Mr Barilaro said.
Mr Barilaro said 50 jobs will be made created the construction process and a further 35 once the centre is established.
MidCoast Council Mayor David West said: “This is giving young people who do falter in their first steps an opportunity to move forward. This is about giving young people an opportunity to go from the bottom rung to the top rung and a hand to hold after that.”