Nichols Point Early Years Hub
Nichols Point will soon be home to a modern four-room, 132-place Early Years Hub.
The new centre will provide a boost to kindergarten places in the region, while establishing a modern multi-service early years hub in the heart of one of Sunraysia’s rapidly growing residential areas.
The centre will be established on the old Nichols Point Primary School site (corner of Koorlong Avenue and Fifth Street within the existing old primary school building), which will be updated, and include:
- Two consultation rooms
- A community meeting room
- A community activity space
A new building, meanwhile, will also be established at the site, adjacent to the existing school building. This will include:
- Four kindergarten rooms (capacity for 132 kindergarten places)
- A parent lounge
- Breastfeeding room
- Staff amenities
- A consultation room
Community feedback undertaken in late 2023 has helped informed the site plan for the centre, helping to successfully secure government funding to deliver the Early Years Hub.
Works are being delivered by local contractors King Construction Group Pty Ltd in partnership with key stakeholders.
Works update (May 2026)
Overall project status: ON TRACK - 35% COMPLETE
Nichols Point Kindergarten - Progress Report: ON TRACK
Progress Report: ON TRACK
- Roof Sheeting completed.
- External Building wrap complete.
- External windows installed
- Sky light windows installed
- Fire tank and pump slab complete
- Rough in of electrical services 99% complete
- Rough in of mechanical services 85% complete
- Brickwork complete
Upcoming Works:
- Insulation starting to be installed
- Plastering to begin on first stage areas
- Cladding on high areas and angled front entry
- Gutter completion
- Civil drainage and downpipes, then exterior paving can start
Old School Building (Early Years Hub) - Progress Report: ON TRACK
Progress Report: ON TRACK
- New barge boards and fascia installation underway
- Door relocations
- Wall framing to start once carpenters finish main building
- Outdoor area footings
Upcoming Works
- Framing of internal walls.
- Minor repair works to the roof.
- Colour schemes of internal finishings finalised in consultation with community & display board will be made available for wider community viewing at the Store and Pavilion.
Car Park Stage 1 – Progress Report: ON TRACK
Progress Report: ON TRACK
- Initial excavation complete
Car Park Stage 1 – Upcoming Works:
- Stormwater pits and pipework
- Road base installation
- Kerb and channel installation
Landscaping to Public Open Space & LMW Channel Area – Upcoming Works:
- Scheduled to commence in August 2026.
Landscaping to Kindergarten – Upcoming Works:
- Scheduled to commence in August 2026.
New Public Toilet – Upcoming Works:
- Underground services installed.
- Works to commence after the second stage car park is complete.
Expression of Interest – working group
We are inviting Nichols Point residents to register their interest in being a part of a working group.
The working group creates a genuine opportunity for the Nichols Point community to co-design a shared community space and to determine how the space will be used or accessed, as well as taking into consideration how each space will complement the broader early learning precinct.
Together, we will be helping to create a welcoming and inclusive Integrated Early Years Precinct in Nichols Point that reflects the needs, and interests of our children, families, and community. Your ideas will help shape a space where every child can thrive, learn and belong.
The working group will meet on a regular basis - please register at Nichols Point Early Years Hub - working group | Your Say
Budget
This project is fully funded by an $8.95million grant from the Victorian Government’s Building Block Capacity Grant program.
Timeline
Project completion is scheduled for December 2026, with the kindergarten to commence in 2027.
Why hasn't Nichols Point had a kinder until now?
Up until now kindergartens in locations very close to the Nichols Point community have been able to accommodate demand. The Victorian Government’s Best Start Best Life reforms has resulted in a significant increase in demand for kinder places, prompting the need to establish an Integrated Early Years Centre in Nichols Point. The Victorian Government’s Early Years Reforms included:
- Free kinder for all three and four-year-olds
- Four-year-old kindergarten transitioning to 30-hours a week of ‘pre-prep’ over the next decade
Nichols Point is a growing community and, combined with the Victorian Government reforms there has been increased demand on kindergarten places in the Mildura LGA to accommodate this growth.
Children from the Nichols Point community currently attend kinder at other locations including Irymple, which is putting additional pressure on these facilities. Recognising the increased growth in Nichols Point and the Victorian Government’s Early Years Reforms, we identified a need to establish a kindergarten in Nichols Point and started investigating potential options. Previous feedback from the Nichols Point community has indicated support for a kindergarten at the old Nichols Point Primary School site.
What services will the proposed facility offer once complete?
The purpose of the new facility will be to deliver a kindergarten program. We are, however, also looking at incorporating a Maternal Child Health consultation space to complement the kindergarten facility. The attached site plans provide more detail of what’s planned, pending the completion of the tender process.
Other Nichols Point Projects
Nichols Point Community Pavilion - Progress Report: ON TRACK
- The three storage sheds are approaching completion. Small tasks such as installation of roller doors, completing power and storm water connections and concrete aprons are left to finish.
- Demolition of old Cricket Building will commence after construction of the sheds are complete.
Nichols Point Drainage Upgrade – Stage 1 - Progress Report: COMPLETE
Delivered by Capogreco Pty Ltd, has now been fully completed.
- The installation of the rising main, pits, gravity mains, swale, and wing and headwalls has been completed. The pump station, including the switchboard, has also been installed and energised.
- Bulk earthworks associated with the construction of the drainage basin have been completed. Clean fill generated from the bulk earthworks has been transported to Mildura Landfill and Koorlong Landfill for future use as capping material.
- Commissioning of the pump station has been undertaken, and the system is fully operational. The project is now pending submission of final documentation from the Contractor, including As Constructed Drawings and Operation and Maintenance Manuals.
Nichols Point Drainage Upgrade – Stage 2 and 3 - Progress Report: ON TRACK
This project is being delivered by The Bigfoot Group Pty Ltd
- Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT), Outfall Pipe and Swale 100% complete
- HDPE Pipes in upstream from Dux Super Development to highpoint development 100% Complete
- Work along First Street 95% complete.
- Work at the easement from Cureton Avenue to First Street in Progress
- Overall Physical work progress 55%
Nichols Point Playground – Upcoming Works:
- Concept plan developed
- Community Consultation to commence when existing cricket shed and storage container is removed