Rural Councils Must Lead Early Years Investment
Levelling the Playing Field
When we talk about regional disadvantage, early childhood doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves. But it should, because access to quality early years services is foundational to a community’s long-term prosperity.
In rural Australia, too many families live in “childcare deserts.” The evidence is mounting: geography plays a bigger role in early childhood outcomes than it should.
Despite billions in new state and federal funding, rural councils face unique barriers:- thin markets, workforce shortages, unfunded infrastructure, and policy blind spots.
And yet, often councils remain the linchpin: they’re the planners, place makers, and community anchors. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Felicity Dunn at eQIPd and written a white paper that Grantus is launching at the RCV Forum, Levelling the Playing Field: Why Rural Councils Must Lead on Early Years Investment.
Inside we cover:
✅ Why rural councils are structurally disadvantaged
✅ What new reforms and funding really mean for your region
✅ Practical steps councils can take to influence, invest and lead
✅ How to move from reactive funding to proactive investment planning
If you’re attending the RCV Forum, come by the Grantus table for a copy. Otherwise, subscribe to the newsletter or get in touch for the digital version.
Simon Coutts
Simon is the Director and Founder of Grantus, a trusted advisor in strategic funding, complex problem solving, and stakeholder management, driving growth and public benefit for organisations dedicated to making a lasting impact. Book a ‘Borrow My Brain‘ session with Simon.
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