Moranbah residents will benefit from improved access to support and services, with the opening of a new community centre.
The new Moranbah Youth and Community Centre, located on the corner of Mills Avenue and Appleton Street, is the result of a partnership between the Palaszczuk Government and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).
The Moranbah Youth and Community Centre project is jointly funded from $5.2 million contributed by BMA and $4 million from the Palaszczuk Government, including land, service delivery, maintenance, programming, and $960,000 towards construction.
Minister for Communities Coralee O'Rourke today officially opened the new centre alongside representatives from BMA and the Isaac Regional Council.
"The Moranbah Youth and Community Centre will be a one-stop-shop for a range of human and social services," Mrs O'Rourke said.
"The centre is a major community asset, which is intended to support a more family-focused environment in Moranbah.
"The facility is designed and equipped to complement and enhance existing services in Moranbah and surrounding communities and to be flexible to future requirements.
"It incorporates space for youth and community activities, counselling rooms, open-plan office space and meeting rooms."
Long-standing organisations Moranbah District Support Services and Emergency & Long Term Accommodation in Moranbah will deliver their services from the new Moranbah Youth and Community Centre, together with a number of visiting agencies.
BMA Asset President James Palmer said partnering with the Queensland Government to deliver such a critical piece of infrastructure was a vote of confidence in the sustainability of Moranbah.
"Not only is it important to our development as a company, it's a thriving community that many of our people call home." Mr Palmer said.
"We want Moranbah to continue growing stronger alongside us."
Isaac Regional Council Mayor, Cr Anne Baker, said that the Moranbah Youth and Community Centre complemented the range of community facilities already established in Moranbah, including the Community Centre and Administration Centre and recreation facilities.
"The site of the centre is central to facilities and services which residents regularly access," Cr Baker said.
"The centre is complementary to services delivered by the council and links with council's interest in furthering youth policy in Moranbah."
The Palaszczuk Government currently funds 124 neighbourhood and community centres across the state, providing a range of information, referrals and services to the community including counselling, health services and financial support.
Mrs O'Rourke said the construction of the new centre was another example of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to creating thriving communities.
"Through neighbourhood centres, we are able to provide support to vulnerable Queenslanders," she said.
"We want to create thriving communities where Queenslanders, regardless of their personal circumstances, can participate in their communities, be resilient and enjoy social and economic wellbeing."
