ALPINE Shire councillors unanimously approved a contract variation for the designs of the Mountain View Children’s Centre at their meeting last week, paving the way for construction of a new facility, instead of the previously planned redevelopment.

In December 2022 council awarded a $178,300 tender for a lead design consultant to develop and document tender documentation for the expansion of the facility.

According to council, during the design development phase, and following extensive consultation with the lead consultant, operators and officers, the option to reconsider a new purpose-built space was presented as a more effective and efficient proposal than redeveloping the existing facility.

As a result of these changes to the original scope, council was recommended to approve an extra $64,427, taking the total contract to $242,727.

“There was always a need to improve the Mountain View Children’s Centre facility, so it’s great to see that is on track and I’m happy to support that variance to make sure that it's redeveloped correctly,” councillor Tony Keeble said.

“I know there’s many people that would probably like to get their children to some of the centres and they can’t, so if we can increase the capacity by redevelopment that’s fantastic.”

The expansion of the centre proposes to increase capacity of the centre from 90 to 160 childcare places.

Responding to a question from Cr Simon Kelley, director of assets Alan Rees said 160 places is the optimal size for operational efficiencies.

Cr Katarina Hughes was absent from the meeting.