The Mornington Peninsula Shire has welcomed a significant funding boost to build an integrated youth services hub in Rosebud.
The 4.3M allocation from the State Government's Growing Suburbs Fund is one of the largest amounts ever issued through this funding source. This is on top of the 1.5M commitment from the Federal government to help build the new hub.
The funding announcement was made by Minister for Local Government and Suburban Development Shaun Leane, and Member for Nepean, Chris Brayne who visited the proposed site of the hub in Rosebud to share the news with Shire councillors. They were joined by Acting Mayor Cr Sarah Race and Shire Councillors Antonella Celi, Lisa Dixon, Debra Mar and Kerri McCafferty.
The project encompasses a multi-use and fit-for-purpose new Youth Hub, that will be co-located on an existing sporting and civic site on Besgrove Street Rosebud, servicing the Southern Peninsula region and incorporating a strong focus on youth mental health.
The project will deliver an accessible youth-friendly facility with an innovative design to promote greater utilisation, maximise occupancy and enable a full suite of youth services, including but not limited to: Art and craft space; Break-out lounge; Classrooms; Clinical support services (including Headspace operation); Cooking activities ; Drop-in centre; Employment and education assistance; Games and recreational space; Holiday programs; IT Hub; Meeting rooms and work spaces.
The current Youth Services team has operated from the Y Lounge Youth Centre in Rosebud since 2007. This site is too small and has very limited service capacity. Recent evidence shows that an integrated model of service, that includes a strong focus on mental health, will deliver the best outcome for young people.
Council is continuing its advocacy efforts to seek other funding sources to see the Hub come to fruition
The first stage of planning will be undertaken before 2022 with further community and stakeholder consultation set to take place later this year. It is anticipated the two-year build will commence late-2022 with a construction completion date in late-2024.
Council would also like to thank the following organisations for their support of the project:
Alfred Health, Anglicare Victoria, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, Family Life, Headspace, National Youth Mental Health Foundation, Mentis Assist, Mind Australia, Mission Australia, Monash Health, Neami National Oakwood School, Peninsula Health, Salvocare Eastern, SkillsPlus, TaskForce, Youthlaw, YSAS
Quotes attributable to Cr Sarah Race (Acting Mayor)
"The integration of services will mean greater collaboration and cooperation between service providers, schools and other stakeholders resulting in better outcomes for Peninsula youth".
"On behalf of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council I'd like to thank Minister Leane as this significant funding boost brings our vision for a much needed integrated youth hub a little closer."
Quotes attributable to Seawinds Councillors Antonella Celi, Debra Mar and Kerri McCafferty
"This integrated youth hub sets a precedent for the delivery of mental health & wellbeing services, programs and activities to our local young people here on the Peninsula so they don't have to travel long distances to Frankston or Dandenong. We acknowledge the tremendous work put in by the Shire Youth Team and the consortium of organisations that have worked over the many years to make this vision a reality"
"As Seawinds councillors we are delighted that the Hub will be built in Rosebud and will provide much needed support to our young people."
Photo L-R: Debra Mar, Chris Brayne, Antonella Celi, Shaun Leane, Sarah Race, Kerri McCafferty and Lisa Dixon.
