Cost Incurred to Head Start Initiative
Response
Sent: Friday, 21 August 2026 4:25pm
Subject: Official Information Request - Cost Incurred to Head Start Initiative
I refer to your Official Information request of 18 August 2026, for information regarding Cost Incurred to Head Start Initiative.
Question:
What was the total cost to the council for of all activities and work undertaken to develop and finalise its response to the Government’s Head Start local government initiative? For clarification purposes, this request is for the total cost or the best estimate of the total cost to the council of the Head Start initiative. Points 2-5 below are for components of this total.
Answer:
$5,930.60. Council can provide the direct paid advertising costs associated with informing and engaging with the community on the Head Start Pathway initiatives. However, Council is unable to provide an estimate of staff time spent on these activities, as this information is not separately recorded.
Question:
What consultants and contractors were engaged to advise or provided information or analysis for the council’s response to Head Start and what was the cost of each provider’s services? What were the titles of any reports provided by these consultants or contractors?
Answer:
No consultants and contractors were engaged to advise or provide information or analysis for the Council’s response to Head Start.
Question:
What was the total cost to the council for informing or consulting with local communities and how much was spent on surveys, advertising, informational publications (flyers, pamphlets, etc.), public meetings, websites and other such activities.
Answer:
$5,930.60. In addition to any paid advertising, Council utilised a range of existing in-house capabilities and communication platforms to inform and engage with our communities. These included regular email newsletters, organic social media posts, Antenno notification, updates published on Council websites and media releases.
Question:
What was the total cost of any extraordinary or special council meetings or workshops held regarding Head Start or the council’s response to it?
Answer:
There is no separate cost to these meetings.
Question:
What other costs were incurred by the council under this initiative and what was the value of those costs?
Answer:
There were no other costs.
