By Corey Everitt
The fallout of the Cardinia Youth Hub will go one of five ways in the aftermath that saw the vital $6 million project scrapped.
At the council meeting of Monday 17 June, the council approved the consideration of these options to be further assessed as part of the Youth Hub redevelopment.
The options are:
-Build the Youth Hub in James St as planned.
-Expand/redevelop My Place.
-Build a new facility at PB Ronald Reserve or redevelop an existing building.
-Build a new facility at The Point or redevelop an existing building.
-Explore opportunities within the vicinity of the Pakenham Major Activity Centre.
The project was mired in setbacks culminating in its indefinite postponement mid-construction when the contracted builder – Allmore Constructions Pty Ltd – went into liquidation in October 2023.
The matter went from bad to worse when a structural audit later revealed defects which made the building unsafe – requiring the existing structure to be demolished.
Youth services remain at My Place in Main Street, Pakenham, with the council continuing to work with many stakeholders in the ongoing matter.
Youth services such as Headspace are still in need of a crucial expansion in their facilities, the council report reiterated, exploring these options will hopefully remedy the need after the incompletion of the original project.
“I really welcome this, there is no decision being made tonight, just the recommendation towards several options that have been identified as the most viable,” Cr Springfield said.
“I look forward to seeing what comes back, I think this is a good process of due diligence.”
The council report showed how children and young adults make up close to 20 percent of the shire’s total population.
Seven services were to be housed in the Youth Hub including Headspace, South East Community Links and Berry Street who provided mental health, educational, housing support among many others.
The council will now assess all five options under a criteria which includes considerations such as their legal implication, planning approvals and construction requirements.
The council is continuing to seek legal advice on any appropriate action that may be taken by the council on behalf of the community against those responsible for design and construction.
