Kempsey Youth Access Centre
Official Opening - Wednesday, 15 July 2009
The NSW Minister for Youth, Graham West, officially opened the Kempsey Youth Access Centre, on Wednesday, 15 July. The Minister commended the Youth Advisory Council and Kempsey Shire Council on successfully working together to establish the Centre. The facility is designed to provide a much needed "space" for youth in the Kempsey Shire that is comfortable and welcoming, and where they can access information and services relevant to them.
Tenancy Services Invited
Tenancy services are invited to utilise the centre. Services may include:-
- Mental Health Services;
- Drug and Alcohol Services;
- Neighbourhood Centre Services;
- Advocacy Services;
- Financial Services;
- Educational Services; and
- Cross promotion of PCYC programs will also occur.
Booking the Centre
To hire the Youth Access Centre, a Youth Access Centre (YAC) Hire Agreement must be completed and submitted to Council seven (7) days prior to use. The Agreement form includes Conditions for Facility Use. The form is below in pdf and html format. Adobe Reader is required to view the document in pdf.
Youth Access Centre Hire Agreement in pdf (67KB)
Online Youth Access Centre Hire Agreement
Hiring Procedure
- Complete booking form fully and include a copy of public liability insurance.
- Fax booking form to Kempsey Shire Council – 65 663 225.
- Receive confirmation fax from Kempsey Shire Council.
Booking will be entered into calendar by Council staff.
- Pick up keys from Kempsey Shire Council Customer First Centre (CFC) between 8.30am and 4.30pm. Register your name and sign key hire sheet.
Booking confirmation MUST be shown before keys will be given to hirer.
- Return keys to Customer First Centre no later than 4.30pm.
- A tax invoice will be issued at the conclusion of your booking /s.
Background of the Centre
One of the most significant issues raised by young people in Kempsey Shire at a Youth Forum held in 2008 was access to a youth dedicated area, where they could gain information on services in terms of health, education, employment, training, entertainment, school support, etc.
Kempsey Shire Council in recognising the value of its youth in the community identified a vacant Council building in River Street, which was previously used as the SES headquarters, in an appropriate location for young people. The Youth Advisory Centre is well located as it is walking distance from St Pauls College, Kempsey High School and the North Coast Institute of TAFE. There is a regular bus service along River Street and it is also walking distance for South Kempsey youth, via the rail bridge or public transport.
Through a partnership between Guri Wa Ngundagar Aboriginal Corporation (Community Development Employment Program), Kempsey Shire Council and the Youth Advisory Council, refurbishment of the building has been achieved and has now progressed to tenancy stage where services are invited to utilise the centre. There are seven different areas including offices for services, communal area, educational space, library and kitchen. There is still much work to be done to the centre in order to realise its full potential and grant funding will be actively sought to ensure that the necessary upgrades are undertaken.
In 2009, Council was successful in securing grant funding totalling $73,000 through Area Assistance Funding (Department of Community Services) 2009/10 allocation. This funding was used to upgrade the kitchen area and the toilet amenities. A further $10,000 for information technology infrastructure was pledged from the State Government and was used to purchase laptops for those hiring the Youth Access Centre and Youth oriented programs.
A Young Person's Perspective
The following is a comment from one member of the Youth Advisory Council regarding the new centre:-
"There is much potential for the centre and it could serve many purposes for young people. I have always felt that young people need a safe place to receive advice about health, careers and what's available to them in Kempsey without being judged for it, and after the youth forum I realised there was consensus to this feeling.
This facility or centre is needed and I believe it will get a lot of support from young people and older people who want the younger generation to get the right information in a safe, friendly and youth oriented environment."
