Work begins on $3.6 million community hub in Yarrabilba

The first sod has been turned for the $3.6 million Yarrabilba Family, Children and Community Hub, creating 12 jobs during construction.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the State Government had fully funded the construction of the Hub, and continues to work with stakeholders through the Community Hub and Partnerships (CHaPS) program.

“The CHaPs program is continuing to bring together industry and government with the community services sector to produce real social outcomes,” Mr Dick said.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognises that co-locating services in key community sites such as Yarrabilba State School will give Yarrabilba families easy access to the services they need and assist Yarrabilba children get the best start in life.

“The Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning has engaged Deloitte Access Economics to hold a range of workshops and online surveys to identify the community’s aspirations and vision for the hub and establish priorities for hub services and activities.”

Education Minister Grace Grace said the community hub was expected to be completed by August 2018 and would help to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Yarrabilba area.

“The hub will be co-located with the new Yarrabilba State School, which opened in January this year,” Ms Grace said.

“With more than 45,000 people expected to be living in Yarrabilba by 2041, projects like the community hub will be key to supporting the health and learning needs of local families.” 

Member for Logan Linus Power said when the Hub was fully developed, local residents would have access to a wide range of services for families and children including health, early learning, broader community support activities and consulting services from visiting specialists.

Mr Power said Queensland’s community sector workforce in Yarrabilba will be provided with a great facility to serve people in their local community.

“This is a great community base for expanding local services into Yarrabilba,” Mr Power said.

“I’m always excited to see the Palaszczuk Government bring more services into Yarrabilba. We have a strong track record on delivering for this new community, such as the Yarrabilba State School we are in today.

“This hub will also provide links to training and employment opportunities.”

Mr Dick said the CHaPS program is about not only creating opportunity for people and improving lives, it's about generating employment and economic outcomes as well.

“A further 20,000 jobs in the community sector will be needed to meet future growth across Queensland,” Mr Dick said.

“That’s on top of the 65,000 strong workforce we currently have.”

For more information on the Community Hub and Partnerships program, visit www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/chaps  

ENDS

Media contact: Cath Palmer, 0424 823 424