Rockingham Youth Centre secures major planning and design accolade

The Rockingham Youth Centre (RYC) has secured a major planning and design accolade - the Social and Community Infrastructure Award at the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Western Australia’s 2023 Awards for Excellence.

UDIA WA is the peak body representing all aspects of development in the State. The event was held on Saturday 16th September 2023 at Crown Perth, and is one of UDIA’s most prestigious annual events.

The RYC was successful in a competitive field that included property developers and another local government. The RYC first opened its doors in 2021 and is a purpose-built facility for young people aged 12 – 24 located on MacKinnon Street in Rockingham. 

In selecting the RYC for this award, UDIA WA judges praised the City for its design efforts and collaboration with young people noting “A nondescript industrial building on the edge of the city centre has been transformed into a safe and inclusive place for the young people of Rockingham.

“Working closely with the Rockingham Youth Reference Group, the City of Rockingham has created a welcoming facility that offers everything from a drop-in centre to counselling services, educational and life improvement programs and recreational activities.”

Mayor Deb Hamblin thanked UDIA WA for recognising the City’s efforts to deliver this important community infrastructure project.

Mayor Hamblin shared “Construction of the Rockingham Youth Centre was a key action in the City’s Strategy for Children and Young People, and we thank UDIA WA for recognising the high-level of effort and design work that went into building the facility.

“Collaborating with the Rockingham Youth Reference Group has helped to deliver an inviting space where young people can enjoy a wide range of events, activities and programs in a safe and welcoming environment.

“Since opening two years ago more than 13,000 young people have visited the RYC, and in the past year (2022/2023) the City delivered 133 term and school holiday programs, which totalled more than 1,200 hours of activities. We hope to see young people continuing to enjoy the facility for many years to come.” 

For more information on the RYC or the programs on offer visit rockingham.wa.gov.au/youth