Darwin gets social centre for children and young people

The NT will soon have a $10.5m youth hub, providing a space for children and young people to socialise and connect with support services. Find out where it will be built.

The Palmerston Youth Skills Centre provides young people with the skills and qualifications to transition from school to work has opened today. Darwin will soon get a second youth centre for children and young people. Picture: Che Chorley

Darwin is set to have a new youth hub worth $10.5m, following an announcement by the NT government on Saturday.

The purpose-built facility will provide a space for young people aged 8 to 18 years old to socialise, engage in leisure activities, and connect with support services.

NT Youth Minister Lauren Moss said the hub would be a space the community could be proud of.

“The new youth hub in Darwin’s northern suburbs will offer a safe and empowering space for young people to participate in a range of supervised activities, undertake skills development as well as provide leadership opportunities,” she said.

The youth hub will be housed at the former Casuarina Fire Station site on Rowling Street, with the venue’s current occupants, Darwin’s Men’s Shed, to be relocated in the coming months.

Modelled off the successful Palmerston Youth Hub, the facility’s design was informed by focus groups and an online survey completed by community members, young people and local service providers.

“Our young people are our future and the Territory Labor Government is proud to support programs that support Territory youth,” Ms Moss said.