Design concept plans have been approved for a youth hub at Olympic Park in Rosebud, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has today announced.
“Imagine a Peninsula, where our young people from the southern end do not have to travel to Mornington or even further to access youth services, but instead can find a full range of youth services in one dedicated hub?”
“Well that day is one step closer, with great progress being made on our youth services facility at Olympic Park, Rosebud,” Council said in a statement.
Earlier this year, Council announced $4.3 million in funding for the project from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund. The Federal Government will contribute $1.5 million to the project.
Council has surveyed 1,000 young people aged 10 to 25 from the Southern Peninsula, with 41% saying it ‘felt safe’ to for the facility to be located at Olympic Park. Close proximity to public transport and other facilities and walking distance from nearby schools all helped support the location, Council said.
“The new youth hub responds to the needs of our young people from the Southern Peninsula. It will provide multi-disciplinary services under the one roof with the opportunity to expand on the services in the future,” said Mayor, Despi O’Connor.
“We thank our schools, service providers, and other stakeholders for their fantastic contribution so far.”
The new youth hub is set to include a full range of youth services and spaces including:
- drop-in youth space
- mental health support
- information and referral
- personal development programs
- Indigenous support and programs
- LQBTQI+ support and programs
- youth leadership opportunities
- employment and education assistance
- youth support service
- recreation and art spaces
- meeting rooms and workspaces
- classrooms.
“As Seawinds Councillors we are delighted, Rosebud will be the home for this much needed facility to support our young people on the Southern Peninsula,” said Seawinds Ward Councillors, Antonella Celi, Debra Mar and Kerri McCafferty.
“With a team of experts who understand the needs of young people, this youth-friendly site will provide mental health and wellbeing programs, education, training and recreation support services.
“The hub will also provide access to pre-employment, vocational and other training programs to help our young people become work ready. This hub is a major boost for the area and will provide tailor made and targeted services for young people on the Southern Peninsula,” the councillors said.
The two-year build will start late 2022, with an expected completion date of November 2024.
