23 February 2015
Newport Gardens Early Years Centre (NGEYC) have been awarded the 2015 LGPro Awards for Excellence in the Community Asset and Infrastructure Initiative over $1.5 million.
LGPro’s annual Awards for Excellence promote and celebrate the outstanding achievements delivered by both individuals and teams who work in the Victorian Local Government sector.
The Excellence in the Community Asset and Infrastructure Initiative category relates to initiatives that maximise benefits to the community and showcase partnerships in developing and managing community assets. This category specifies projects that are over $1.5 million that are new and a one-off activity of a capital nature.
NGEYC were announced as the winners at the 2015 LGPro Annual Conference Dinner on Thursday 19 February, against finalists from East Gippsland Shire Council on the All Abilities Playground Project and Kingston City Council on the Carrum Surf Life Saving Club Project.
An exerpt from NGEYC's winning submission:
Construction of the Newport Gardens Early Years Centre has enabled delivery of an integrated early year's service model that has been embraced by the community with near complete utilisation from opening. In constructing this facility Council has been able to bring together a not-for-profit committee and Council services on a single site, under a financially sustainable model for all parties, that is managed by a not-for-profit service provider. The agreed service model aligns with state policy changes in the early years. Service providers on site, including the school, are working in partnership to ensure that the developmental needs of children is at the forefront of planning and actions facilitating smooth transition through the early years to school.