SPIRITED PLAN: Plans progress for Norlane Indigenous Youth Hub

WATHAURONG Aboriginal Co-operative is seeking planning approval for a $2 million youth hub that it hopes to have open by NAIDOC Week next year.

The co-operative is planning to revamp its Healing Spirit Youth Hub at the corner of Plume and Forster streets, Norlane to modernise the space and help the organisation better serve the needs of Indigenous youth in the Geelong region.

Additions to the existing building would include two yarning rooms, a lounge/TV room, computer space, quiet rooms and serenity space, a waiting area, two consultation rooms and a health space.

The project would also renovate existing structures, extend an entry alcove and build a new storeroom.

It also includes landscaping that would incorporate decking and a barbecue, working gardens, fire pit and gender-specific yarning spaces.

Wathaurong says its planned expansion would “create a space to provide opportunities for staffs to engage with Aboriginal children, young people, and their families”.

“This establishment will increase the accessibility to cultural and clinical programs and other services as well,” planning document stated.

The City of Greater Geelong is presently advertising the plans ahead of an approval decision, with public comment open until this Sunday, December 11.

The state government provided Wathaurong $1.6 million from a Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program for the hub in August, while the Victorian Health Building Authority had earlier contributed $647,000.

In welcoming the funding earlier this year, Wathaurong said “the future site will provide a culturally safe gathering place to enable young people to connect and engage with each other on a day-to-day basis to gather and yarn, participate in cultural activities, strengthen life skills, receive support and guidance from a range of service providers and access a range of services via outreach and/or referral”.

It is targeting an opening of the new facility for NAIDOC Week celebrations next year, which fall between July 2-9.