An Albanese Federal Labor Government will invest $6 million to build a much-needed Northern Suburbs Youth Hub.
Ever since the Youth Shak at Casuarina closed down, there has been a great need for a place for young people to drop in and hang out.
This new hub will improve the wellbeing of our youth, and will help to reduce youth offending rates, which has been a major issue for the local community.
This dedicated fit-for-purpose facility will have safe indoor and outdoor spaces, and long opening hours to better service the needs of young people.
The proposal to build a dedicated permanent structure is an opportunity to provide a service hub model with the colocation of NT Government agencies and non-government organisations delivering youth services.
The proposal would enable a one-stop youth engagement shop with NT Government Youth Outreach and Re-Engagement Teams being co-located with the Department of
Education Top End School of Flexible Learning, a Darwin student engagement team, along with Health and wellbeing representatives.
Although the proposed model for the Youth Hub will be largely focused on young people aged 10 to 17, there will be scope for younger children to attend, particularly younger siblings.
Providing a safe and engaging space for children and young people, linking them to support services where needed and where families are also encouraged to participate, will have a positive community impact.
Programs and staffing of the Hub will be funded by the NT Government, who will also determine which provider runs the facility.
“Young Territorians deserve every opportunity to thrive, and this Youth Hub will help at-risk youth to reconnect with services and education to get the best possible supports in place so they can become positive and contributing members of our community," said Luke Gosling, the Member for Solomon.
“This is a much-needed facility in the northern suburbs and I commend Federal Labor for recognising the need to give our youth somewhere to go, which will divert them from anti-social behaviours.”
