Golden Plains Shire Council welcomes today’s announcement that the Victorian Government will contribute $271,032 towards the Golden Plains Shire Youth Hub project.
The $562,000 Golden Plains Shire Youth Hub project will see the redevelopment and relocation of a Council portable office into a vibrant facility that will provide inclusive, innovative and accessible programs and services for young people in a growing community. Located at the Bannockburn Recreation Precinct, opposite the Shire’s only high school, Bannockburn College P-12, the Youth Hub will support improved health, social, education and employability outcomes, and provide stronger connections between the local community and services young people need.
Announced today by Minister for Local Government and Suburban Development Shaun Leane MP, the Victorian Government’s $271,032 funding comes from its Growing Suburbs Fund, following the successful grant application from Council. In June, the Victorian Government added Golden Plains Shire Council and the five other members of the Peri Urban Group of Rural Councils (PUGRC) to the Growing Suburbs Fund. The fund was established by the Victorian Government in 2015 to fund community infrastructure projects in 10 fast-growing council areas of Melbourne.
This latest funding contribution from the Victorian Government will partner with $100,000 from the Federal Government’s $1.3 million Local Roads and Infrastructure grant to Council, and $100,000 from Bannockburn & District Connected Communities to complete the project.
Council has also made a $90,720 in-kind contribution of the portable structure, which will be relocated from its Bannockburn office to serve as the new youth hub. The portable building previously housed Council staff who have moved into the Golden Plains Civic Centre, and is the second office portable to be repurposed from the site, following the transformation of the first into female friendly change rooms at Linton Recreation Reserve last year.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey welcomed the funding from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, and recognition of need for better facilities for the Shire’s growing youth population.
“Council is very pleased to receive funding for the first time from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, after only becoming eligible for this valuable program earlier this year. This funding ensures Council can get on with this exciting partnership project, thanks to further funding from the Federal Government and Bannockburn & District Connected Communities.
“With approximately 30% of our Shire’s residents under the age of 19, the Golden Plains Shire Youth Hub is an important project for Golden Plains. The Hub will provide a dedicated facility for training programs, events and youth services, right in the heart of Bannockburn’s popular Recreation Precinct.
“Just like the neighbouring Bannockburn College, the new Youth Hub will not only be a facility for Bannockburn residents, but for youth right across Golden Plains Shire.”
The Golden Plains Shire Youth Hub will replace the existing Youth Lounge located in the Bannockburn Cultural Centre, unlocking the room for other community activities.