The families at Coburg Children's Centre (CCCI), call on Merri-bek Council to take urgent action to protect the safety of children, families and educators by improving parking access to the Centre.

Why This Matters:

• CCCI provides essential early learning and care for over 120 families daily, supporting more than 170 families to work, study and participate in the community
• Recent construction and increased local housing density have severely reduced safe, nearby parking, forcing families to walk long distances with babies, toddlers and prams, adding significant time and stress to an already busy and difficult time of a family's daily life
• Short - term parking directly in front of the Centre is often blocked, preventing safe drop off and collection of young children. Families are now forced to park in distant or unsafe locations
• Staff are also struggling to access safe parking, putting the stability of the Centre and our children's care at risk.

We ask Council to:

• Create a safe, clearly designated drop - off and short-term parking zone near the Centre
• Explore nearby land for family drop off zone and/or staff parking
• Advocate for free or low-cost parking for the early childhood staff, at nearby facilities.

Our children's safety and continued access to this vital service depends on action now.