The Port Hedland council has unanimously endorsed a business plan for the multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the Rose Nowers Early Learning Centre at the June ordinary council meeting in an effort to tackle Port Hedland’s chronic childcare shortage.
The expansion will increase the centre’s capacity from 43 to 134 childcare places.
It comes after a 2025 childcare needs assessment commissioned by the Town of Port Hedland, BHP and Fortescue, and conducted by Child Australia, found there was a shortfall of 350 places within the town.
The council is also seeking community feedback, with the business plan now available for review on the town’s website and at local libraries until August 5.
Some $6 million of the estimated $9m is anticipated to be provided through government grants or industry funding, while the town will provide the remaining $3m over several financial years.
The project will add new childcare rooms, upgrade current facilities, and introduce new services such as outside school hours care and school readiness programs at the centre.
The expansion aims to “efficiently increase capacity” while avoiding the higher risks associated with building a new standalone facility from scratch.
Town officials identified limited access to childcare as a “key barrier to workforce participation”, particularly for residents employed in critical sectors like mining, health and education.
Following the comment period, the results will be presented back to the council for a final decision on whether to proceed with the endorsed business plan.
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