MOORABOOL council will investigate options for use of the “under-utilised” Darley community hub.
The former high school buildings, owned by the council, were slated as a possible location for a youth space in a report revealed by the Weekly.
The report found many Moorabool youths were “falling through the cracks”. Several youth services no longer operated in Bacchus Marsh due to a lack of appropriate facilities.
Cr Tonia Dudzik said the site was under-used and the council needed to seek potential tenants.
“It should also consider whether it is possible to allow a limited amount of space to be used by the community at a reduced cost for programs and services that will improve the health and wellbeing of people of all ages,” she said. “Ratepayers paid for these buildings and they should be able to reach their potential for the benefit of the community rather than continuing to fall into disrepair.”
Bacchus Marsh Grammar principal Andrew Neale said calls for a designated youth space highlighted a larger problem.
“These are extremely complex matters that are in large part driven by broad social issues and social stresses,” he said.
“They will in part be solved by changes in parental and student attitudes and priorities and by the investment by government in appropriate real infrastructure in the outer suburbs, including transport, health and education facilities.
“They will not be solved by the creation of a ‘teenage space’. It is, however, an indication of the real issue that those services that are provided are . . . not properly resourced.”
