Repair and safety works to the Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool in Riddells Creek will continue throughout this month, after a truck crashed into the site in November last year.
Macedon Ranges council said that as of January 10, some of the damage to the building and its services, surrounding grounds, and facilities had been rectified, but works would resume this month following a break of available tradespeople due to the Christmas and New Year period.
Macedon Ranges acting chief executive Maria Weiss said council is “working diligently” to ensure that the building is safe and ready to welcome back children as soon as possible, “cognisant of the traumatic event and the sensitive approach required, as well as the different stakeholders involved”.
“Practical fixes aside, the nine-year lease for the building ends in mid-January 2025 and council is working with relevant stakeholders to develop a new lease agreement, including new provider Uniting Vic.Tas.,” Ms Weiss said.
Uniting Vic. Tas. acting general manager of early learning Jessica Hateley-Browne said the organisation is looking forward to being the new education provider for the site, and while works remain ongoing, the organisation plans to operate from the nearby Riddells Creek Primary School for all of term one this year.
