State Member for Barwon, Roy Butler is lobbying to open up before and after school care (BASC) options in the Bogan Shire.

Mr Butler has written to the State Education Minister and said there was a critical need for the service.

“The importance of BASC cannot be overstated, miners, mine workers, tradespeople, teachers, police, health workers and other professionals need to be sure that they have adequate care for their family when they are doing long hours or shift work. Without childcare outside school hours, it can be hard to attract and retain these essential workers, which in turn impacts the entire community.

“Although it is not their responsibility, Bogan Shire council have been strong advocates for BASC in the shire, and together we have been talking to the government for some time about the need for a service in the region,” Mr Butler said.

“I have written to the Education Minister about this issue on more than one occasion, most recently requesting a meeting between the minister and representatives from the Council to discuss possible ways forward.

“This is an issue that, with the help of the Council, I will continue to pursue until we have the service that Bogan Shire needs and deserves,” he said.

Impact hits workforce attraction - Shire

Bogan Shire Council General Manager Derek Francis said the lack of BASC options has had a massive impact on working families and has also been cited by the management of Aeris Resources as a barrier for them when trying to attract staff to the Tritton mine.

“We are well served by the Nyngan Preschool and the Bogan Shire Early Learning Centre for younger children, and the Shire runs a Youth Centre for high school aged children in the afternoons but there are no care facilities for primary aged children. 

“We understand that the provision of Before and After School Care is a State Government responsibility, and Bogan Shire Council has been strongly advocating for this service with the NSW Government since 2021.

“Whist we acknowledge that some attempts have been made by the Department of Education in the past to engage a service provider for Before and After School Care in Nyngan, we would really like this urgent issue to be given the priority attention it deserves,” Mr Francis said.