MEDIA RELEASE
For release: 15 October 2025
URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO ADDRESS CHILDCARE CRISIS IN LATROBE
Latrobe Council is calling for urgent financial support from the Federal Labor Government to address a critical childcare crisis facing the community from January 2026.
The crisis is an unintended consequence that follows the decision by Catholic Education to close the St Patrick’s Long Day Care Centre in Latrobe on 24 December 2025. This closure will leave the Latrobe community without any comparable childcare service until at least July 2026, creating a serious and immediate challenge for up to 55 local families, local employers and staff of the centre.
Latrobe Mayor Peter Freshney said the impact of the closure will be “far-reaching and deeply felt across our community.”
“Without urgent action, parents—many of whom work in essential services such as the Mersey Community Hospital and associated healthcare roles—will be forced to reduce hours or resign altogether,” the Mayor said.
“This decision risks not only local jobs and family wellbeing, but also the safety of children, as parents may be left with no choice but to seek informal or unregulated care arrangements.”
Council has acted swiftly since learning of the closure, engaging with key stakeholders to find practical solutions. Council has already:
* Identified and secured an appropriately zoned commercial property with support from the owner;
* Negotiated and confirmed the availability of an alternative suitably qualified long-day care centre operator with access to design and construction resources and
* Prepared a plan to have a fully compliant facility ready to open by January 2026, in time for the new school year.
“We have a solution ready to go — we simply need urgent financial support,” the Mayor said.
“As of last evening, council has secured a $200,000 contribution from the Tasmanian government which is contingent on financial support being provided by their Federal counterparts. For an investment of an additional $450,000, this problem can be solved. Without it, the social and economic cost to our community will be profound and far reaching.”
Council warns that without immediate Federal government intervention, Latrobe faces not only the loss of vital early learning capacity but also the loss of experienced and dedicated childcare professionals as they are forced to seek employment elsewhere and in other sectors.
“This is a critical moment in time,” the Mayor said. “We are calling on our Federal government representatives to partner with us in a collaborative effort to protect local families, local jobs, and most importantly, the safety and wellbeing of our children.”
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mayor Peter Freshney
Latrobe Council
0417 287 006
mayorfreshney@latrobe.tas.gov.au