The City of Canning will work to ensure the outside school hours care (OSHC) facility in Noongar Way, Riverton will remain open for years to come.
The current tenant, Communicare inc., entered into a lease agreement over the facility back in 2002.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the company opted to close the building at the end of March.
Having changed its business model, Communicare has sought to surrender its current lease and acquire a new one – thus ending its OSHC operations.
Given just two days’ notice, local families took to social media to express their concerns.
Parents from Riverton and surrounding areas gave deputations at last week’s council meeting, discussing the facility’s value within the community.
The speakers also deliberated on Communicare’s treatment of the centre in recent years.
Councillors Ben Kunze and Amanda Spencer-Teo put forward an alternate motion during the meeting.
The motion called for the city to negotiate with Communicare to enable an alternative service provider to operate the premises.
Cr Kunze said the facility should be reserved specifically for OSHC services.
“It’s clear that there is a real need for OSHC services to be provided within the Riverton Primary School community,” he said.
“These services are vital, especially for working families.
“This is a purpose-built facility for OSHC services, and there remains a real need for these services.
“A position can be negotiated in which everyone has a beneficial outcome.”
A lively discussion ended with the council voting 8/2 in favour of the alternate motion.
Riverton, Rossmoyne, Shelley Residents Association acting president Richard Aldridge gave credit to the city and the parents for their efforts.
“The deputations were all very heartfelt and made a lot of sense,” he said.
“Praise to them for having enlightened the council to the situation that they were facing.”
Another report, outlining the available options, will be presented to council in December.
“We should always be open to communicating with service providers in the community to try and
achieve the best outcome for our community,” a City of Canning spokesperson said.
