Scenic Rim Police Citizens Youth Club in Beaudesert to assist and inspire youth in the region
Council has committed to supporting the establishment of a Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) facility in Beaudesert, which will be accessible to local youth across the Scenic Rim region.
At last week’s Ordinary Meeting, Council agreed to secure suitable Council-owned or controlled land on which to base a multi-faceted community hub centred around sport and recreation facilities, youth support and community services.
Council also agreed to provide a representative for the Project Control Group proposed to be formed by the Youth and Community Centre Beaudesert Inc Committee (YACC) consisting of Police Citizen Youth Club Queensland, Queensland Police Service, Scenic Rim Regional Council and YACC representatives.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen welcomed collaboration with YACC and PCYC Queensland, an organisation that plays a vital role in the lives of over 50,000 people each year and is recognised for changing and enhancing the lives of youth since its establishment in 1948.
"PCYC Queensland's three pillars of youth development, crime prevention and community engagement underpin everything that they do," he said.
"Once established, this new facility will focus upon community needs, encourage social cohesion and will positively impact our local communities, particularly our younger residents in the Scenic Rim."
John Powell, President of the YACC, said the collaborative project has been thoroughly researched with discussions and expressions of interest from many organisations and government representatives.
“This is a great result for the Scenic Rim community, especially our youth, many of whom are struggling with social engagement issues,” he said.
“Special thanks go to our hard-working YACC management committee, the Beaudesert Chamber of Commerce, Queensland Police, PCYC Queensland and the Scenic Rim Regional Council.
“Exhaustive research for this project has taken almost two years and has proven the absolute need for this facility in Beaudesert.
“The establishment of an effective project control group will continue to consult with the community to ensure that the Scenic Rim PCYC in Beaudesert provides the facility, services and programs most needed, whilst engaging with all levels of government to secure funding.”
David Kassulke, President of Beaudesert Chamber of Commerce, said the Scenic Rim PCYC in Beaudesert will be a tremendous asset for the local community.
“The YACC's vision for the Police Citizen Youth Club in Beaudesert includes space and capability for sport and recreation facilities, youth and community services, meeting rooms, and space for ancillary businesses and services,” he said.
“This resource will provide ongoing benefits for Beaudesert and the entire Scenic Rim region.”
Based on population data, and recommendations from PCYC Queensland, the project will require centrally located land in Beaudesert, with the ability to accommodate up to a 4,000m2 clubhouse facility and parking for up to 200 cars.
Division 4 Councillor Michael Enright said that Council will play a vital role in supporting the project to move forward.
"In addition to in-kind support by way of a lease agreement for Council-owned or controlled land, we will support YACC in their pursuit of funding from both the Queensland and Australian governments, to build and establish the PCYC facility, " he said.
"The vision for the PCYC in Beaudesert is to establish a vibrant, convenient, supportive and nurturing facility, with potential to enrich the lives of more than 10,000 youth aged 5-24 years currently living across the Scenic Rim, of which over 3,700 live in the Beaudesert area. In contrast, by 2041, of the over 13,760 predicted to be living across the Scenic Rim, around 7,000 people in this age group will reside in the Beaudesert area."
The Scenic Rim PCYC in Beaudesert is a project underpinned by Council's Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011-2026, which maps strategies to build and maintain a healthy, engaged and resourceful community.