Clarence Valley Council will officially work alongside Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation to realise the vison detailed in the Townsend Collective Masterplan, which was recently given the go ahead by Councillors at the June Ordinary Council Meeting.
The Townsend Collective Masterplan is set to transform Jubilee Street into a vibrant, bustling and attractive community hub which takes advantage of the expansive site, which currently features shady mature trees and is home to the Maclean Men's Shed and Return and Earn facility.
The masterplan also explores the potential to expand the footprint of the existing Men's Shed and deliver a new Yaegl Men's Community Space, Mudyala Community Facilities, Computer Club, and a variety of complimentary community-use and recreational facilities.
Clarence Valley Council's General Manager Laura Black said she's pleased to have this Partnership Agreement with a major stakeholder, signed.
"The Townsend Collective will offer a broad range of facilities and programs designed to promote the social interaction, health, and wellbeing of our community's youth, and Mudyala is the perfect organisation to be included in this project."
Mudyala operates programs to assist children and youth aged between 0 to 25 years old, to uplift and build a sense of cultural pride through sharing stories, art, and language.
Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation CEO, Aneika Kapeen, said the organisation uses culturally based activities as an avenue to engage with Aboriginal youth to help them develop their cultural identity and understanding of belonging.
"Our work focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, youth and families who are doing it tough financially or socially. We then support these families through engaging in culturally safe programs building their individual capacity so they can better support themselves, their children/families and overall strengthen our community.
"However, our organisation is currently functioning in public spaces and private houses so it's going to be absolutely fantastic to have a main cultural community hub for all our programs to run from. Space at the Townsend Collective will allow us to expand and grow our services to target more of the wider community to create an inclusive supported place for all."
As part of the masterplan vision, Mudyala seeks to occupy a gallery and administration space, a youth and community hub, multi sports court and ball sports play area, an amphitheatre, a café and outdoor kitchen as well as a range of other facilities.
To learn more and view the Townsend Collective Masterplan, visit the June 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting details at www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-meetings/Minutes-and-agendas.
