26 Apr 2016 Macedon Free Press, Kilmore, VIC (General News) CONSTRUCTION of the new $3.7 million Wallan Integrated Community Learning Centre is now underway with enrolments opening for 2017. The new centre is co-located with the Wallan Primary School creating the first co-located early education precinct in Mitchell Shire. The brand-new development, to be built next to Wallan Primary School, will provide 132 licensed places in its four-year-old kindergarten program and 40 licensed places in its three-year-old kindergarten program, helping to meet local demand, Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, By co-locating early learning centres and schools, there is a smooth transition for children as they move between kindergarten and prep. The centre will incorporate services for the community from birth through to primary age children and their families, as well as providing space for professional consulting services and community use. The centre will comprise two early learning rooms with a council operated four-year-old kindergarten, multi-purpose area, Maternal Mitchell Shire Councils Mayor Sue Marstaeller said the project was exciting for the Wallan community and was impressed with the projects timelines. Cr Marstaeller said the development would support the rapid growth the region is currently experiencing and the predicted growth into the future. and Child Health Services, specialist consulting rooms, outdoor play space and parking. eaTsthefronnetw ccoerMnntoerrteLhueownrfcislhtlDhbaeye built on the south school site, at the intersection of Queen and Stanley streets, with access to this facility via Stanley Street. The project is entirely grant funded and made possible through a partnership between the State Governments Department of Education and Training, Department of Environment Land Water and Planning and Mitchell Shire Council. The council will manage ongoing costs associated with the development as well as managing the design, tender and project management (in consultation with Wallan Primary School). Construction of the Wallan Integrated Childrens Centre is anticipated to be completed in December this year. Caption Text: Making it official: Cr Bob Cornish, Mayor Sue Marstaeller and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes turn the sod for the centre with Wallan Primary School captains Paris Lee-Lo and Maddison Ford.