New Child and Family Learning Centre for Longford
Posted on July 09, 2025
New Child and Family Learning Centre for Longford
Media Release from Jo Palmer, Minister for Education and Mark Shelton, Liberal Member for Lyons
Consultation with Smithton and Longford communities will commence in the coming months.
Families with young children will have access to more services and support in Longford with the construction of a new supersized Child and Family Learning Centre.
A re-elected Liberal Government will begin consultation with the Longford Community on a suitable location and the needs of the community before the end of the year.
Liberal Member for Lyons, Mark Shelton, said the construction of a new Child and Family Learning Centre in Longford was part of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future and would deliver much needed services for the region.
“The Liberal Government’s CFLCs at 18 other locations around the state have allowed for earlier engagement between families and schools and provide much needed access to services from birth to school,” Mr Shelton said.
“While the planning for these centres takes some time, it’s an important part of ensuring the facilities are exactly what is needed to service growing communities like Longford.
“A local enabling group will be established to map out the plan so that the centre is bespoke for this community.
“Once constructed, it means more jobs for the Longford community and more supports for families.”
CFLCs in the community provide free access to psychologists, speech pathologists and social workers, ensuring support for children to meet their developmental milestones and set them up for a life of learning.
Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said CFLCs across the state are already having a positive impact in local communities.
“This unique model of wrap around care for families helps them as they begin their education journey, providing exceptional support and great outcomes,” Minister Palmer said.
“Importantly, the Longford supersized CFLC will feature additional space to enable partnering with early childhood education and care providers to deliver early education, long day care and vacation care, as well as outside of school hours care where there is unmet demand for these services.
“The centres we have already developed will guide the development and planning for this centre, and when combined with the input from the local enabling group, will ensure the needs of the community are met.”
Mr Shelton said a plan for the centre at Longford was outlined at the 2024 election and the Liberal Government has more to do.
“A majority Liberal Government is the only way to keep Tasmania moving forward with certainty and stability,” Mr Shelton said.
“Our strong Liberal team has a real plan which can be delivered with a majority Liberal Government. Any alternative to that will be a merry-go-round of chaos and compromise.
“Let’s get on with it. Let’s finish the job for Tasmania.”