Darwin Youth and Community Hub

The Northern Territory Government is investing in the future and wellbeing of young people with the new Darwin Youth and Community Hub (Youth Hub) in Casuarina. The Youth Hub will provide young people from 8 to 18, their families and the community with a prosocial and safe purpose-built facility designed to meet their needs. It will support young people to engage in programs, learn new skills and access support services.

The Youth Hub will be built on the former Casuarina Fire Station site near Casuarina Square Shopping Centre where young people and families from the northern suburbs often visit. The site is near public transport, key services and areas where young people live, study and work. Zoned as community purpose land the site provides the ideal opportunity to build the new fit for purpose facility.

Design of the Darwin Youth and Community Hub

The design of the facility has considered the placement of the building and outdoor areas, as well as its proximity to the immediate neighbourhood.

The foundational values of the Youth Hub support community participation, respect, and safety for young people and those in the neighbourhood.

Providing a safe space for young people to engage in prosocial activities is anticipated to support the surrounding community.

Upon completion, the Youth Hub will feature:

• an indoor airconditioned activity space and a separate breakout music/media room
• a learning kitchen where young people can learn to cook
• a large, covered veranda area with fans and connection to outdoor spaces and raised food garden beds
• a covered half sports court with a large fan complimented by green spaces
• shower and laundry facilities
• a dedicated staff area supported by dual use meeting room for counselling or wellbeing appointments.

Services and programs

The Youth Hub will provide a safe and inclusive environment for young people between the ages of 8 to 18 to come together, socialise, and access necessary support services.

The programs and activities offered will be both engaging and focused on developing important life skills under the guidance of trusted adult mentors.

Various youth program providers and support services, including those related to health and wellness, will have the opportunity to conduct their programs at the Youth Hub.

Organisations that have the experience and expertise working with young people will be invited to submit proposals through an open grant process.

As part of the service delivery model, the Youth Hub will offer safe transportation home in the evenings. There is also access to public transportation at Casuarina Square.

The operating hours of the Youth Hub will align with school times, opening after school finishes.

Previous consultation on design and programming

Public information sessions were undertaken between November 2022 and February 2023 to inform design of the building and the program. Consultation identified 5 key principles that have guided the design of the Hub.

Read the report into the findings of the stakeholder engagement PDF (4.3 MB).

Contact details

For more information email darwin.youthhub@nt.gov.au.