INVESTMENT
UPGRADED CENTRES
NEW CENTRES IN DELIVERY
EXTRA FAMILIES SUPPORTED EACH YEAR
What are early parenting centres (EPCs)?
Victoria’s EPCs provide specialist support and deliver flexible, targeted services for families with children 0–4 years old.
They aim to enhance the parent-child relationship and support parents with strategies for achieving their parenting goals. These goals are often in areas such as sleep and settling, child behaviour, and parent and child health and wellbeing.
These goals are achieved through structured programs that vary from day-long and multi-day residential stays. Programs include:
- psychosocial, physical and developmental assessments
- parenting education
- counselling
- skills development
- play-based activities
- modelling effective behaviours.
How to access services
When complete, the services offered at each new centre will be available to all eligible Victorians. Families can choose to attend any centre within the EPC network.
Referrals to EPCs are usually from maternal and child health services, maternity services, general practitioners, Child FIRST and Child Protection.
EPC services are currently provided by:
- Mercy O’Connell Family Centre located in Canterbury, phone (03) 8416 7600
- Queen Elizabeth Centre located in Noble Park, phone (03) 9549 2777
- Tweddle Child and Family Health Service located in Footscray, phone (03) 9689 1577
- Tweddle Child and Family Health Service located in Wyndham, phone (03) 9689 1577
- Mercy Health located in Whittlesea, phone (03) 9407 6800
- Monash Health located in Clyde North, phone (03) 7511 2800
- Grampians Health located in Lucas, phone (03) 5320 3003
- Barwon Health located in North Geelong, phone (03) 4215 5920.
These centres operate several satellite services across the state. Please contact the centres for more information.
Benefits
The early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program aims to deliver the following benefits:
More families supported
The program will more than triple existing service capacity, allowing more than 5,000 extra families to be supported each year.
More in-centre residential services
The expansion and upgrade program will increase the number of services available to Victorian families. This includes residential family units, where families can stay overnight for support.
More support for regional and outer-metropolitan Victorian families
An expanded EPC network is getting us closer towards the goal of state-wide coverage, providing access to specialist parenting support for more families, closer to home.
Jobs for Victorians
The program will create and sustain around 400 construction jobs across the state. It will also create new job opportunities for multidisciplinary teams of qualified professionals to operate the new centres.
What we're building
In May 2019, the Victorian Government announced a $123 million investment to expand and upgrade the early parenting centre network.
The initial investment includes:
- the upgrade and expansion of existing EPCs in Noble Park and Footscray
- the construction of seven new centres in the growing areas of Ballarat, Bendigo, Casey, Hastings, Geelong, Whittlesea and Wyndham.
In May 2022, the Victorian Government announced an extra $25 million. This brings the total investment in the early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program to $148 million. Part of this extra funding will be used to support the delivery of an eighth new EPC in Shepparton.
The 2023-24 State Budget is also investing a further $15 million for a ninth new EPC in Northcote.
New facilities
Factors such as locations of existing centres, population growth, and levels of need for healthy child development were considered when deciding locations for the new EPCs.
The new EPCs will include:
- residential family units
- day-stay places
- shared kitchen and dining areas
- multi-purpose rooms
- indoor and outdoor play areas
- administration and staff areas.
Upgrading existing facilities
The upgraded Footscray EPC will include:
- 12 new residential family units
- including two Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant residential family units (bringing the total to three)
- private amenities for each of the units including ensuites.
The upgraded Noble Park EPC will include:
- a new welcoming entrance
- two standard residential family units
- two Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant residential family units.
Locations
Metropolitan Melbourne
Six EPCs are being built or upgraded in metropolitan Melbourne.
New EPCs
- Casey Early Parenting Centre
114 Newgrange Boulevard, Clyde North
Managed by: Monash Health in partnership with the Queen Elizabeth Centre - Hastings Early Parenting Centre
185 High Street, Hastings
Managed by: The Queen Elizabeth Centre, with support from Peninsula Health - Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre
34 Anchorage Drive, South Morang
Managed by: Mercy Health (O’Connell Family Centre) - Wyndham Early Parenting Centre
239-245 Princes Highway, Werribee
Managed by: Tweddle Child and Family Health Service
Upgraded centres
- Footscray Early Parenting Centre
53 Adelaide Street, Footscray
Managed by: Tweddle Child and Family Health Service - Noble Park Early Parenting Centre
53 Thomas Street, Noble Park
Managed by: The Queen Elizabeth Centre
Regional Victoria
Four EPCs are being built in regional areas. They are:
- Ballarat Early Parenting Centre
10 Fawcett Road, Lucas
Managed by: Grampians Health in partnership with the Queen Elizabeth Centre - Bendigo Early Parenting Centre
37 Havlin Street East, Kennington
Managed by: Bendigo Health in partnership with the Tweddle Child and Family Health Service - Geelong Early Parenting Centre
45 - 95 Ballarat Road, North Geelong
Managed by: Barwon Health in partnership with the Tweddle Child and Family Health Service - Shepparton Early Parenting Centre
The managing health service and the location for the new centre will be announced in due course.
Community consultation
Community advisory groups
Community advisory groups (CAGs) were established to help inform planning for each of the initial seven new EPCs.
The advisory groups included the following stakeholder groups:
- local councils
- local maternal and child health service providers
- community groups
- Aboriginal representation.
Working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal communities
Cultural safety, accessibility and appropriateness of services are an important part of the expansion and upgrade program.
We will continue to work with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Aboriginal community members, including through the dedicated Aboriginal Advisory Group to guide the expansion and upgrade program.
Each EPC's managing health service also works closely with local community groups to develop services that reflect the community’s needs now, and into the future.
Design
Artist impressions
The designs have been carefully considered to create a safe and serene environment. Families can feel at home in the centres, with rooms suitable for various family arrangements.
Designs for the program were led by architecture firm, Brand Architects. Brand Architects consulted childcare experts, local community groups and traditional owners as part of the design process to ensure the centres reflect the communities they serve.
- View the designs for the completed centre in Ballarat
- View the designs for new centres Bendigo, Geelong and Wyndham
- View the designs for the completed centre in Whittlesea
- View the designs for the upgrades in Footscray and Noble Park
- View the designs for the completed centre in Casey.
You can see all artist impressions and videos in the gallery below.
COVID-19 considerations
The design of the new and upgraded EPCs has been adapted to respond to lessons learnt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These include:
- residential suites will be equipped with individual air handling units (designed with negative pressure) to reduce the spread of infection
- all occupied spaces will have natural ventilation, including windows that open and close
- sensor operated hand basins included at all wash stations – and more of them
- internal finishes that are easy to clean.
Environmental considerations
Environmental considerations for the program have followed the Guidelines for Sustainability in Capital Works. This includes provisions for solar panels, the installation of efficient water and electrical fixtures and native and Indigenous plantings.
Construction
Progress
The new Wyndham EPC is complete. The centre was the first new EPC to open to families thanks to the early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program. Take a look inside the centre.
Construction is also completed on the Whittlesea EPC, Casey EPC and Ballarat EPC. Step inside the new Whittlesea centre here, the new Casey centre here or the new Ballarat centre here. Construction is also finished at the Geelong EPC.
Multi-million-dollar upgrades to the Noble Park EPC are also complete. Step inside the upgraded centre here.
Construction is also underway at the following new sites:
- Bendigo (new build)
- Geelong (upgrade).
Construction impacts
We will work closely with the appointed builders to minimise construction impacts on the community.
All construction works will be conducted in accordance with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and council-imposed noise guidelines, dust suppression measures and the use of clear construction signage.
As with all construction sites, there could be a temporary increase in traffic during construction. However, we will work closely with the appointed builders and local stakeholders to address any concerns and ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.
Partners
This program is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with the Department of Health and the following providers:
Design and construction
- Brand Architects
- A W Nicholson (Builder – Ballarat)
- Bowden Corporation (Builder – Bendigo, Footscray, Geelong, and Noble Park)
- Hutchinson Builders (Builder – Whittlesea and Wyndham)
- S.J. Higgins (Builder - Casey)
Health services
- Barwon Health
- Bendigo Health
- Grampians Health
- Mercy Health (O’Connell Family Centre)
- Monash Health
- Peninsula Health
- Queen Elizabeth Centre
- Tweddle Child and Family Health Service.
News
26 August 2024
Upgraded Noble Park Early Parenting Centre complete
Construction on a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Noble Park Early Parenting Centre is complete.30 July 2024
What is biophilic design?
Learn how we incorporate nature into our building designs to promote wellbeing.08 July 2024
New Early Parenting Centre opens its doors in Geelong
The new Geelong Early Parenting Centre is now complete and is welcoming families.29 April 2024
Construction complete on new Ballarat Early Parenting Centre
Families in Ballarat and surrounding communities will soon be able to access specialised support to care for their little ones.17 January 2024
New Early Parenting Centre opens in Casey
Families in Casey and surrounding communities can now access specialised support to care for their little ones.21 December 2023
Wrapping up 2023 in video
In this video we celebrate major health infrastructure project milestones over the past 12 months12 December 2023
VHBA In Brief: December 2023
Wrapping up major health project milestones for 202320 November 2023
Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre opening for families
Construction is complete on the multi-million-dollar Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre (EPC). It’s the second new EPC to open this year.02 November 2023
VHBA In Brief: November 2023
In this issue: Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre now open, Crane named after Frankston Hospital Pink Ladies volunteers, Wyndham Early Parenting Centre complete.10 October 2023
Construction on the new Wyndham Early Parenting Centre is complete
Families in Wyndham and surrounding communities will soon have access to specialised support to care for their little ones at the Wyndham Early Parenting Centre.28 April 2023
More early parenting centres to help Victorian families
Learn about the services EPCs provide and how we're expanding the network to help more families access support.19 April 2023
Early parenting centre site announced for Hastings
A site has been announced for a new multi-million-dollar early parenting centre in Hastings.27 March 2023
Designs released and construction is progressing on the new Casey Early Par...
Designs have been released and construction is progressing on the new purpose-built facility.15 December 2022
Designs released for the Whittlesea early parenting centre
We’ve released designs and construction is underway on a new multi-million-dollar early parenting centre for Whittlesea.25 October 2022
Early parenting centre on the way for Ballarat
We’ve released the designs and construction is now underway on the new early parenting centre in Ballarat.24 August 2022
More help for parents in Bendigo, Geelong and Wyndham
Families will soon have better access to early parenting support in purpose-built facilities.24 June 2022
New early parenting centre for Shepparton
The new multi-million-dollar facility will provide early parenting support for parents in the Goulburn Valley.19 February 2021
Early parenting centres facility design guidelines
The Early parenting centre facility guidelines outline the specific requirements for the planning and design of new facilities.10 October 2020
Victorian health services to run new early parenting centres
Victorian health and family services providers have now been appointed for seven new early parenting centres in regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.17 July 2020
Artist impressions of early parenting centres revealed
Take a look at early designs for the soon-to-be-upgraded early parenting centres at Footscray and Noble Park.27 March 2020
A step forward for early parenting centres
Local stakeholders Victoria-wide have been sharing their community’s priorities for the early parenting centres expansion project.16 July 2019
Victoria’s early parenting centres to triple
Victoria is tripling its early parenting centres to give more support to young families.16 July 2019
Expressions of Interest open for early parenting centre redevelopments
Expressions of interest are open for the master plan and feasibility studies of two early parenting centres.Gallery
Related content
28 April 2023
More early parenting centres to help Victorian families
Learn about the services EPCs provide and how we're expanding the network to help more families access support.20 November 2023
Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre opening for families
Construction is complete on the multi-million-dollar Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre (EPC). It’s the second new EPC to open this year.10 October 2023
Construction on the new Wyndham Early Parenting Centre is complete
Families in Wyndham and surrounding communities will soon have access to specialised support to care for their little ones at the Wyndham Early Parenting Centre.16 July 2019
Victoria’s early parenting centres to triple
Victoria is tripling its early parenting centres to give more support to young families.19 February 2021
Early parenting centres facility design guidelines
The Early parenting centre facility guidelines outline the specific requirements for the planning and design of new facilities.10 October 2020