Dandenong Municipal Wide Early Years Infrastructure Plan

Public Policy

Client: Greater Dandenong City Council

Capire Consulting Group was engaged to undertake a Municipal Wide Early Years Infrastructure Plan in response to the City developing an integrated approach to the provision of early year's facilities and services.

The study considered the provision of early years' facilities and services, including child care centres and services, kindergartens, maternal and child health centres, and occasional child care services.

 

Capire produced a long-term plan for strategically located integrated early years' facilities in the municipality. 

The project:

  • Identified a spread of facilities that Council and partner organisations have the capacity to maintain and manage;
  • Ensured an equitable distribution of community facilities across the municipality;
  • Provided a mix of facilities that are integrated and where appropriate, multi-functional;
  • Considered the feasibility of converting existing facilities into integrated facilities and/or developing new facilities.

The Plan was based upon a rigorous evidence base which included consultation, consideration of service models, demographic nuances and therefore needs across the municipality, urban design assessments, architectural feasibility and a financial strategy (including site acquisition and disposal).

Council and the DEECD are currently using the Plan to negotiate the integration of early years' facilities on identified primary school sites across the municipality. 

Dandenong South Residential Area Urban Design and Social Needs Framework Plan

Client: Hansen Partners / Dandenong Development Board, City of Greater Dandenong, ECOSS

Kindergarten Infrastructure Strategic Plan

Client: Whitehorse City Council

Ageing kindergarten infrastructure in the City of Whitehorse, as well as recent changes to State and Federal policy, has created the need to develop of a 30-year plan to guide future provision and investment.

Agata Chmielewski

Agata is an Associate Director at Capire Consulting Group. Agata has an extensive background is in social planning and policy development. She has undertaken social impact assessments, community infrastructure needs assessments and feasibility studies which have informed a number of urban revitalisation, civic amenity and structure planning projects and growth strategies.

Sally Abbott

Sally has worked for international organisations, Australian non-profits and has conducted community engagement in Mexico, Laos and Australia. With a particular focus on community development and planning, Sally's studies have both complemented and propelled her career path. She brings a broad range of skills to her current role as social research and stakeholder engagement consultant.