Youth centre needed: YAC

Rockingham's Youth Advisory Council is pushing the City of Rockingham to endorse its Youth Strategy 2011-15 by committing to the construction of a youth centre, estimated to cost $3.5 million.

Youth Advisory Council member Stephanie Brynes said the strategy had identified youth, parents and service providers desperately wanted a centre to tackle problems with alcohol, peer pressure, bullying and relationships.

The youth centre was planned to start in the 2012-13 financial year, but Ms Brynes is calling for the City to act on it now by building it in the CBD near transport and medical facilities.

The strategy supported the centre as a way to combat the city's high rate of disengaged youth.

Peel police district Inspector Wayne Hawes said a youth centre was key to breaking the cycle of disengaged youth and child offenders.

"Community programs aren't enough. We need to look at whether children are safe and secure," he said.

"Keeping children amused, busy, active and educated plays a big part in a child's development."

Councillor Deb Hamblin agreed Rockingham youth needed a place to call their own.