Established in 2003
proudly serving the Northern Suburbs
28 APRIL, 2026
Youth hub alternative By Courtney Black A local youth hub could reopen in Whittlesea within months under a partnership that the director argued is faster and cheaper than the council’s two-year plan. Innovation Youth Centre (IYC) director Paul Papadatos has been seeking $750,000 in council funding to reopen an IYC hub in Whittlesea after it closed in 2024 due to a lack of funding. Mr Papadatos said he met with Whittlesea council earlier this year, proposing to open the IYC hub in two months and sustain it with a $3.75 million funding commitment over five years.
While governments are trying to work out funding, kids are missing out ... It’s frustrating, it’s sad, and it’s not fair - Paul Papadatos A council spokesperson said a council-run youth centre will be delivered next to the municipal offices in South Morang by 2028. The spokesperson said up to $6 million would be allocated across future budgets. Mr Papadatos said the IYC model is not only more cost-effective and efficient, but also would be less intimidating than the council-run centre. “When you’ve got young people that are really disengaged or school leavers, the last thing they want to go into is something that’s a structured program,” Mr Papadatos said. “They want a place where you can get a good feed, play some pool, play some video games, talk with some people. “We’re here to partner [with council] add value and complement each other to help young people on a bigger scale.” Mr Papadatos said before closing in 2024, IYC supported more than 500 young people in Whittlesea through drop-in programs, one-on-one support and school partnerships. IYC operated for two years in Bundoora supported by a $1.5 million federal Safer Communities grant. “We’ve shown what we can do, we want
Innovation Youth Centre director Paul Papadatos wants to partner with council to deliver a faster more effective youth hub. (Damjan Janevski) 543908_04
to help the council and make this thing happen and we’ve got the resources to do it,” he said. The council spokesperson said Whittlesea is calling for state government funding to support the delivery of its youth centre. In 2023, the state provided council with a $500,000 grant for a feasibility study. If the council-run centre opens in 2028, it will be four years since the IYC hub closed and five years since state funding for planning was secured. Mr Papadatos said the delay in delivering a permanent youth facility has left young
people without adequate support. “While governments are trying to work out funding, kids are missing out,” he said. “It’s frustrating, it’s sad, and it’s not fair for young people.” Mr Papadatos said he had offered to partner with the council by transforming the existing Edge Youth Services space at Plenty Valley Westfield into a drop-in hub. “I said [to council] we can work together [to revamp the space] and we can have that space up within two to three months in the heart of the municipality.” The council spokesperson said Edge
✓ NEW DENTURES ARE GST FREE ✓ QUALITY DENTURE CARE ✓ HEALTH FUND REBATES ✓ PROMPT APPOINTMENTS
Youth Services was considered as a possible site before the civic centre location was chosen. “Th rough our research and consultation with young people, the civic centre location was identified as the most appropriate,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the centre will run on a hub-and-spoke model, offering youth programs and services across the municipality. The spokesperson did not say whether council would consider partnering with IYC to deliver youth services.
NO COS T IN
ITIAL CONSUL TAT AND AD ION VICE
• New Full and Partial Dentures • Implant Retained Over Dentures • Metal Framed Dentures • Sports Mouthguards • Repairs • Relines • HICAPS Available • Veteran Affairs • Victorian Denture Scheme Accepted
www.knddentureclinic.com.au like us on Facebook KND Denture Clinic
Kathy Danoucaras, Nick Danoucaras and Sam Robertson KND Denture Clinic, 192 Main Road East, St Albans 9364 3677 Also at: Suite 8, 242 Caroline Springs Boulevard, Caroline Springs. 8361 9722
Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (Victoria)
12590552-ET16-23