Hawkesbury City Council will revisit the funding request in December after councillors split 6–6 and the mayor Cr Lyons-Buckett used her casting vote to defer a decision.
Redbank has criticised Hawkesbury City Council for delaying a decision on extra funding for a proposed 60-place before- and after-school care centre at Richmond North Public School, saying the developer contribution was intended to support a community facility and out-of-school-hours care.
Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett used her casting vote to defer the funding decision until December after councillors split 6–6. The proposed centre would replace the existing 45-place service at Chas Perry Hall, adding 15 places and bringing care onto school grounds.
Richmond North Public School principal Brad Thirling told councillors the project could not be delivered for the $1 million Council allocated in April. The revised amount sought by staff was set out in a confidential attachment. Funding would come from a developer contribution under the Redbank voluntary planning agreement.
“We’ve already lost enrolments to other local schools because we cannot offer the before and after-school care that families need,” Mr Thirling said.
“For many families it’s the only way parents can remain in the workforce.”
Redbank said Council received the contribution in 2020 and that discussions between the developer and Council had always envisaged a community facility that would provide out-of-school-hours care. It disputed the suggestion that funding the centre would divert money from other council facilities.
“Redbank is extremely disappointed the Council has yet again delayed another community project from the VPA this time being the OOSH,” a Redbank spokesperson said.
Redbank said limited places at the existing service made it harder for parents who commute outside the area to find care that covers their working day. An on-site centre would also mean children could stay on school grounds between classes and care.
Cr Lyons-Buckett asked staff to identify which other projects might have to be forgone if Council increased the allocation. She also sought advice on whether an agreement with the NSW Department of Education could protect a role for a community-based provider. Mr Thirling said he understood an existing community operator would likely be given the first opportunity to run the service for a period before it went to open tender.
Cr Reardon moved the staff recommendation to approve the revised allocation and opposed the delay.
“I think we’ve waited a long time and it’s really needed,” she said.
Councillors split 6–6 on both the amendment to defer and the resulting motion. The mayor used her casting vote on each. Councillors were told the existing service at Chas Perry Hall could continue operating while the proposal was considered.
