Announced just before Christmas, a Youth Hub is being built in Bridgewater and will be accessible for all young people in the Bridgewater community, with a focus on Aboriginal youth. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS), Brighton Council and Australian Red Cross are working together in creating the Hub. The council will purpose-build the facility, the Australian Red Cross are in charge of consulting and engaging with the community, while TALS will support Aboriginal cultural representation for the community and youth diversion from the justice system. “With a high population of Aboriginal Tasmanians residing in the Brighton municipality, this Youth Hub presents an opportunity to create a site not only for all youth, but also for Aboriginal youth,” said TALS CEO Jake Smith.

Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray said the Hub will become the canvas where young people create what they need with the support and assistance of relevant services. “Our vision is that the Hub is to be co-created, planned, services prioritised, and the spaces designed and managed by a steering committee with a representative from all of the main stakeholders, including most importantly young members of our community,” said Mayor Gray.