Local young people have just under two weeks left to have a say in the design of a new youth hub in central Geelong.
The hub, to be built in the Busport building on the corner of Gheringhap Street and Transit Place, will be operated by the City of Greater Geelong as a two-year pilot.
It will be delivered thanks to $400,000 in funding from the Victorian Government’s Youth Hubs grant program for 2022-23.
The community is invited to help shape the hub until 15 March via an online survey.
Registrations are also still open for the second of two co-design workshops for 12-25 year-olds, scheduled for 13 March from 4.30pm to 6pm at the future Geelong Youth Hub site (corner Gheringhap Street and Transit Place).
So far, the City has engaged with over 400 young people via various platforms including the Have Your Say online survey, co-design workshop, community events and active school engagement.
Feedback gathered so far has focused on the layout of the space, the types of support services and activities it should include, and how the hub can be as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Mayor Trent Sullivan, Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman and Member for Geelong Christine Couzens visited the youth hub site on Thursday 29 February.
Mayor Trent Sullivan:
The feedback from young people will be central in designing the hub.
Council is really keen to get input from young people, so we can design a fun, safe and welcoming space for our region’s youth.
We want to understand the type of activities, programs, and services that our young people are looking for.
To fill in the online survey or register for the co-design workshop, please click here.
By completing the survey, you could win a $50 voucher (terms and conditions apply).
Construction is expected to start mid-year with some services available ahead of the opening in 2025.
The groundwork for this initiative was laid through collaboration with the Youth Council during the development of the Geelong Youth Hub Feasibility Study in 2022.
Note: The Victorian Government’s media release about last week’s site visit, featuring comments from Natalie Suleyman and Christine Couzens, is available here.
