Last week Lithgow Council was successful in Federal Court proceedings to appoint external administrator, Anthony Elkerton of DW Advisory, to the company that operates the Gumnut Childcare Centre, ECEC Management Services Pty Limited.
Council took this action because the business had failed to pay rent on the centre in accordance with the lease for a period of 28 months.
Council considered a number of legal options to address the matter. The pathway chosen had real regard for keeping the centre open, without impacts on childcare or staff. The Council is only the landlord, and not the operator of the childcare centre, but remains committed to these objectives.
The intention of the external administrator, with the assistance of Lithgow Council, is to transition the business to new operators with minimal disruption Gumnut Childcare Centre, its staff and children.
