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Save Playmates Cottage will continue their fight to stay on the grounds of Dubbo Base Hospital in the coming weeks but their options if they are unsuccessful are running out.
The group have 8900 signatures on a petition opposing the closure of the childcare centre and require 10,000 to have the issue debated in the NSW Parliament. That push will continue with members hitting the streets to try and reach the target.
It is looking increasingly likely that Playmates will miss out on funding from the state and federal government if the relocation becomes a reality.
When Playmates were told there was no room for them to remain on hospital grounds, NSW Member for Dubbo Troy Grant said he wanted them to stay in their current location. However he appears to be tiring of the campaign they have launched and the fight they are putting up.
He has asked Health Infrastructure to set up a meeting between Playmates and the master planners to see if they can remain on hospital ground. But he also said Playmates should be looking at other alternatives in case it can't be made to work rather than fighting their public campaign to stay.
There is no resolution in sight but with the centre providing approximately 100 childcare places and a severe shortage of childcare in the city, a resolution needs to be found and soon.
Playmates have said it will cost $1 million to relocate and meet the stringent regulations for childcare. As a not-for-profit organisation, raising that money would be no easy task.
Hospital workers take advantage of Playmates and they will be among the worst affected if the facility closes.