St Joseph’s Weipa Outside School Hours Care service may shut, leaving families in the lurch. Photo: Alexander Dummer.
Parents and caregivers in one of Cape York’s biggest towns are scrambling to figure out their next move as Centacare FNQ considers shutting down the St Joseph’s Weipa after school care and vacation care service.
Centacare, a social services agency of the Catholic Diocese of Cairns, issued a statement on Thursday (11 June), declaring it was “considering the potential closure” of the outside school hours care program following “an extensive review of the service and careful consideration of a range of options”.
The statement acknowledged the situation would be “concerning for families, staff and the wider Weipa community”. Consultation ends today (17 June).
“This has been an extremely difficult proposal to put forward and we understand the uncertainty it may create,” the statement reads.
“The service was started with a commitment to exploring whether a sustainable long-term model could be achieved. Throughout this period, Catholic Early Learning & Care has carefully monitored service demand, operational requirements and sustainability.
“While the service has provided important support to local families, the challenges associated with maintaining a viable and sustainable operation have remained significant.
Parents in Weipa have limited childcare options. Photo: Supplied.
“Despite exploring a number of possible alternatives, we have not identified a sustainable pathway that would enable us to continue operating the service for us to meet the standards we expect for children and families and maintaining our regulatory and operational obligations.”
St Joseph’s Parish School Principal Kath Porter released a statement the next day: “I recognise that the service has supported a number of our families (as well as those from Western Cape College) and I appreciate that this news may be disappointing for those who have relied on it.”
She said the service was introduced as a trial last year and a review “revealed that it is very unlikely that the service can be maintained in a way that is sustainable”.
“In particular, the current level of demand has not enabled the service to remain financially viable; staffing the service consistently has presented ongoing challenges, and there are significant safety and compliance obligations that must be met to continue providing care to the required standard,” Ms Porter wrote.
One Weipa parent took to Facebook and contacted Cape York Weekly, concerned about the issue “impacting a large number of local families, with significant workforce and social consequences”.
“This news has come as a shock to everyone involved,” she said.
“Families have been given an extremely short consultation window … ”
The parent, who requested her name be withheld, said the service was the “only structured outside school hours care option in Weipa/Napranum”, following the closure of a similar service at Western Cape State School several years ago.
She said shutting the service would affect families’ ability to live and work in the town.
“As a single parent of three children, with no family support in Australia, this service is critical to my ability to work and provide stability for my family,” she said.
“Without it, many families — including those working in essential roles — will be placed in extremely difficult positions.”
Centacare was asked to comment further and executive director Anita Veivers said the organisation “acknowledges the concerns being expressed by families and members of the Weipa community”.
Centacare FNQ executive director Anita Veivers. Photo: Supplied.
“We were approached in 2024 to consider delivering an OSHC (outside school hours care) program as the area had been without one for a period of time since the previous program had stopped operating,” she said.
“With the best of intentions we have strived to provide a program to meet local need, however, the impacts of difficulties attracting qualified staff, trying to make the budget work and maintaining our regulatory and operational obligations are impacting viability.
“At this stage the service continues to operate as usual while a consultation process is underway with both affected employees and families.”
Ms Veivers said Centacare recognised the role of the service in supporting local families and employers, “particularly within a remote community”.
“We also understand that the proposal has created uncertainty and concern for those who rely on the service,” she said.
“Feedback from families and employees is an important part of the consultation process and will be carefully considered before any final decision is made.
“Should a decision be made to close the service, families will be provided with as much notice as possible, together with information about transition arrangements and any available support.
“We know how much this service means to families in Weipa and we are genuinely listening. Our decision will be made carefully, with children, families, employees and the wider community front of mind.”
