ANOTHER 80 childcare places will be available in Gungahlin after the sale of a block of land for a new childcare centre.

The 3,505sqm corner block with frontage to Anthony Rolfe Avenue and Hinder Street was sold for $2.4 million to developer Kai Wen Developments Pty Ltd.

In addition to the required childcare centre, the Gungahlin site allows for possible additional uses including residential dwellings, restaurants, shops or serviced apartments.

“Targeted land release for new childcare centres is part of the ACT Government’s significant investment in childcare to support the sector to grow and to provide more childcare places for Canberra families,” Minister for Community Services Joy Burch said.

The Gungahlin sale follows the sale of a block in Holt earlier this month for a 125-place childcare centre to developer Temloc Pty Ltd for $685,000.

“The ACT Labor Government’s childcare planning strategy has seen the number of childcare places grow by 94 per cent since 2001, with more than 8000 childcare places now offered to families across Canberra,” she said.

“In the past 12 months alone we have seen an increase of more than 500 childcare places, and an additional 500 places will come online in the next year. This will ensure Canberra families continue to have more choice in their children’s education and care, in areas most in demand.”