Final designs are now available for review
Nillumbik Shire Council has received $300,000 under the Victorian Government’s Youth Hubs grant program 2022-23, which will be matched by Council to support the establishment of the first youth hub for the Shire by mid-2024.
As part of this project, Nillumbik will be redeveloping its community facility located at 32-34 Elizabeth St, Diamond Creek, into a dedicated, stand-alone youth hub to provide centralised support for young people 12-25 years old.
The community engagement period on the draft designs for the Youth Hub ran from 30 June – 25 July 2023 on Council’s Participate Nillumbik website. Over 250 people engaged through an online survey and workshops held during the engagement period. Overall, there was overwhelming support for the draft concept designs for the Youth Hub.
Feedback received during the engagement period was considered by Council at the 8 August 2023 Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting, and where possible has been reflected in the final design for the Nillumbik Youth Hub.
The final plans include:
- The provision of modern facilities, featuring an entry, foyer/reception, kitchen upgrade, one large multi-purpose room, two program rooms, office space, two consulting rooms
- IT - equipped rooms to support delivery of hybrid programs and meetings
- Accessible and ambulant toilet facility with shower facilities
- New floor finishes, repainting throughout and upgraded building services
- New outdoor covered area, including improved access, seating and shade
The final engagement report and designs were made available on Participate Nillumbik in September 2023 and are available for download below.
Works on the Youth hub are expected to commence early 2024 and be completed by mid-2024.
Detailed designs
View the final detailed designs here
What we heard
Read a copy of the engagement report here
This project has been informed by the Youth Hub Research & Engagement Report completed by Council in 2022, which aimed to define the desired impact, purpose, functions and location of a Youth Hub in Nillumbik. This report was supported by engagement with a broad range of young people, youth service providers and benchmarking across other Councils.
The modern upgrade and redevelopment of 32-34 Elizabeth Street Diamond Creek will provide an accessible and safe place with a range of flexible, welcoming and youth friendly spaces for young people, service providers, community and staff to engage with.
It will increase options for the co-location of services, education and training programs and social drop in programs, activities and events; with a large multi-functional social space with modular furniture and moveable walls, kitchen upgrade including commercial coffee machine, office space with hot-desking capacity, private consulting spaces and fully functioning IT equipped program rooms to accommodate a range of programs and events for young people.
A main reception and foyer area will make entry to the Youth Hub welcoming, supported by a side entrance for services to enable privacy and confidentiality of young people accessing the space.
Internal re-carpeting, vinyl flooring to amenities and painting of the building will enhance the visual amenity and improve youth engagement with the hub, with a range of equipment and activities to support drop in programs and activities focused around arts, music, games, study, cooking and more. Finally, a new outdoor covered area will maximise use of the space and increase other social connection opportunities and programs that aim to support young people’s mental wellbeing.
