Ninety Mile Consulting (NMC) is proud to be partnering with Break O’Day Council and the Eastern Strategic Regional Partnership, with support from the Tasmanian Government, to deliver the St Marys and East Coast Tasmania Childcare Needs Analysis.

This important project will assess the current and future needs for early childhood education and care (ECEC) and outside school hours care (OSHC) across St Marys and Tasmania’s East Coast. Our goal is clear: to help identify sustainable service models, potential sites for new or expanded services, and workforce strategies that strengthen the availability and accessibility of childcare across these vibrant regional communities.

It’s especially exciting to see local governments working hand-in-hand with state government to amplify their efforts and scope — a true collaboration that recognises the shared responsibility for strengthening early years systems. At NMC, we have deep experience working with regional partnerships to support broader contributions across multiple communities, helping to build cohesive, resilient early years infrastructure that delivers lasting outcomes.

Tasmania’s East Coast is defined by strong community networks, dynamic seasonal economies, and a growing appetite for regional living. In towns like St Marys, families often balance work, travel, and early years care across large distances and limited service access. These realities are common across regional Australia — but in smaller towns, they are often amplified by workforce shortages, transport gaps, and low enrolment thresholds. Future planning must focus on creating stable, accessible systems that are tailored to the region’s unique conditions.

Through local engagement, demographic analysis, and strategic insight, NMC’s approach ensures the Needs Analysis is not just evidence-based — it’s actionable. We are working closely with community members, service providers, and government stakeholders to ensure that the voices and experiences of those who live and work in the region shape the findings and recommendations.

“This project is about making sense of complex local needs and turning that understanding into a clear, strategic foundation for action. We’re proud to be supporting Break O’Day Council in building a regional plan that is practical, locally grounded, and future-focused.”

– Dariya Otgonbayar, NMC Project Manager