Greater Shepparton City Council has resolved to formally close Dookie Kindergarten following extensive review of the service's long-term viability and future demand.
The decision, made at the October Council Meeting, provides clarity for local families and the broader community while ensuring Council continues to focus on delivering sustainable, high-quality early years services across the municipality.
Dookie Kindergarten has been suspended since 2022, with kindergarten services last operating from the site in 2021. Despite ongoing monitoring, community consultation and investigations into alternative service delivery options, sustained low enrolment demand and demographic trends have made the service unviable to reopen at this time.
Mayor, Councillor Geoff Akers, said the decision had not been taken lightly and followed careful consideration of community feedback, enrolment data and the long-term sustainability of the service.
"Council recognises the importance of local kindergarten services and understands this decision will be disappointing for some members of the Dookie community," he said.
"However, after several years of suspension, detailed demographic analysis and efforts to identify an alternative provider, the evidence showed there is not currently sufficient demand to support a viable kindergarten service in Dookie."
At each point of review, it was found that the service faced ongoing challenges with enrolments for many years. In its final year of operation in 2021, Dookie Kindergarten experienced a decline in enrolments from eight children at the beginning of the year to four children by the end. Due to ongoing low registration numbers, the service has remained suspended since that time. Registration and demographic data indicate demand is expected to remain low in the foreseeable future.
Council also explored the possibility of transitioning management of the service to an alternative provider, similar to the successful arrangement recently secured for Katandra West Kindergarten. However, following assessment of the service model, facility requirements and enrolment demand, the proposal was not progressed due to facility constraints and long-term sustainability considerations.
Cr Akers said Council remained committed to supporting local Dookie families and monitoring future community needs.
"While the kindergarten service will formally close, this does not mean Council is turning its back on the community. If population growth, demographic trends and community needs change in the future, Council will consider further opportunities and approaches to meeting the community need," he said.
Best Start Early Years Alliance Councillor Representative, Cr Paul Wickham, said Council valued the feedback received from the Dookie community throughout the process.
"We appreciate the honest feedback provided by locals during the consultation period, and this feedback played an important role in informing Council's discussions," he said.
"Importantly, many families have already enrolled their children in alternative services across the region, and Council will continue to support families in accessing quality early years education close to home."
Families in the Dookie area currently access kindergarten services across Greater Shepparton and neighbouring municipalities, including Shepparton, Katandra West and Benalla. From 2027, Katandra West Kindergarten will operate under the management of Goulburn Region Preschool Association, providing another nearby option for families seeking a smaller community-based kindergarten setting.
While the Dookie Kindergarten service will close, if population growth, demographic trends and community needs change in the future, Council will consider further opportunities for kindergarten provision, in partnership with the local community and key stakeholders.
