The State Government through Lotterywest's COVID-19 Relief Fund is contributing more than $2.05 million towards a youth centre to support young people in Ellenbrook.
The grant comes on top of the McGowan Government's investment of $1.8 million for youth projects as part of the WA Recovery Plan, which takes the State's contribution to more than $3.85 million towards the Ellenbrook Youth Centre.
The Centre will provide counselling, financial advice, employment training focusing on the health, wellbeing and development of young people aged 12-25.
Located at Charlie Gregorini Memorial Reserve, the Centre will be within walking distance to the proposed Metronet rail network, the Community Library, Secondary College, BMX track and the Ellenbrook Central Shopping Centre.
Young people have been engaged in the planning, design and implementation of public space and community facilities.
The Centre will be run by the City of Swan and aligns with the City's COVID-19 Recovery Plan, its Youth Strategy and the Ellenbrook Community Infrastructure Plan.
The co-location of services including counselling, financial and employment training within the Youth Centre will provide support services essential to young people's health, wellbeing and development.
In addition, the design of the Ellenbrook Youth Centre will allow the City to hire or lease areas of the facility for supplementary youth services.
Since March 2020, Lotterywest's COVID-19 Relief Fund has funded 510 grants to WA community groups totalling more than $78 million.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The Centre will help support young people living in Ellenbrook and the surrounding community, by providing access to important mental health and wellbeing services, and I thank local member Jessica Shaw for her advocacy on this project.
"I am pleased that Lotterywest has also made a significant contribution to this Centre, which offers social support and community participation opportunities for young people in Ellenbrook."
As stated by Youth Minister Dave Kelly:
"The COVID-19 period has highlighted the impact of isolation and economic disadvantage as contributors to young people's mental health during the pandemic, which is why in August I was pleased to announce the McGowan Government's contribution of $1.8 million towards this project as part of our WA Recovery Plan.
"Providing this Centre within easy access to public transport and other local amenities, means it will be a great contribution to what's already on offer for young people in this area."
As stated by Swan Hills MLA Jessica Shaw:
"The McGowan Government's commitment to develop a new Youth Centre for Ellenbrook was the most important commitment I made at the 2017 election.
"After four years of hard work and collaboration to develop the project, it's great to see the project receive this final essential tranche of funding.
"The Centre will give our kids a place to hang out in the heart of our town and allow them to access a range of activities, services and supports. It's fantastic to see our youth finally getting the things we need and deserve."
As stated by West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti:
"Combined with the Ellenbrook rail line that is already under construction, this new Youth Centre will make a major difference for our local kids and open up a range of new opportunities.
"Ellenbrook has boomed over the past decade and is showing no signs of slowing down - it's important we continue to plan and construct the infrastructure needed for the future.
"Like we promised, our Government is continuing to deliver for the people of Ellenbrook."
