We are prioritising critical services and some services may be reduced. This means there will be longer wait times for customers contacting us by phone. Many of our services are available online. Advice on which services can continue is changing rapidly. For regular updates, go to knox.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
The Knox Children and Family Centre Bayswater, located at 41 - 43 Phyllis Street, Bayswater, opened its doors on 23 April 2019. The centre currently houses long day care, 4 year old preschool, Maternal and Child Health and community playgroup. To book a spot in this facility, visit Knox Children and Family Centres.
The Knox Children and Family Centre Bayswater was recently announced the Winnner - Architectural Design/Green Architecture category in the 2019 International Architectural MasterPrize Awards.
This award is one of the most respected in the architectural field and aims to:
The Knox Children and Family Centre Bayswater was developed, designed and constructed as a joint collaboration between the Family and Children's Services and the Major Initiative Unit, with input and support from many other sources across the organisation.
On 21st June 2019, the centre was officially opened by Sonya Kiljenny MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Childhood Education and Cr Jake Keogh, Mayor.
Work progressed very quickly during June 2018 at the site of the new Knox Children and Family Centre (Bayswater).
The framing was completed and builders started adding the roof and external cladding.
Construction saw the installation of all the underground services and the excavation and completion of the footpaths. This was followed by the pouring of around 60 truckloads of cement which was used to form the footings and the slab.
At this stage, the steel frame at the front of the building was erected with the remainder completed during June 2018.
Construction contractors, Circon Constructions, took possession of the site and secured the construction area. They started with demolishing the old building and cleared the site so that digging the foundations could commence.
In line with Council's strong focus on sustainability, old building materials were recycled or repurposed wherever possible. The women's refuge in Lilydale once again being the recipient of the many of the materials salvaged.
The official breaking ground at the site of the new early years centre in Phyllis St Bayswater took place on 31 January 2018.
A group of around 50 people gathered to watch Knox Mayor, Cr John Mortimore, Dinsdale Ward Councillor, Cr Adam Gill, and the State Government Minister for Early Childhood Education, Jenny Mikakos MLC, turn the first sods of soil before construction begins in February. They were joined by other Knox Councillors and a number of local children, including some from the neighbouring Bayswater West Primary School, who had been invited to attend this special day.
In an exciting announcement welcomed by Council, Minister Mikakos announced the awarding of a $1.6 million grant by the State Government towards the construction of the $9.5 million facility.
The demolition and building permits were received soon after paving the way for work to commence on the site.
Read the media release for more information
The architects for the Knox Children and Family Centre Bayswater, K20 Architecture, produced a 3D video representation to give an indication of what the new centre would look like when completed.
While some of the internal and external elements may have changed slightly as the building took shape, the video gave us a great insight into the size and layout of the building interior and outdoor play area.
View the videoView the artist's impression and plans
In 2016, the State Government provided Knox City Council with a grant of $1.6 million funding towards the building of the Bayswater early years hub.
This grant money was provided through the Children’s Facilities Capital Program and was announced by the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Hon. Jenny Mikakos MLC.
For more information about grants available and provided, visit the Victorian School Building Authority website.
The new centre in Bayswater includes: