Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire Inc. (NCoBS) has advised Bellingen Shire Council that we will not be seeking an extension of our current agreement to manage the Bellingen Shire Youth Hub beyond 31 August 2026.

This has not been an easy decision.

Many people may not realise that NCoBS has managed the Youth Hub on behalf of Council for the past three years. As the organisation responsible for delivering the service, we have always understood our responsibility to ensure the Youth Hub is well governed, young people are safe, public funds are managed responsibly, and our staff and volunteers are supported.

Earlier this year, our Management Committee strengthened the Youth Hub's internal governance arrangements to improve oversight, accountability, safeguarding and alignment with contemporary child safe standards. These changes reflected our responsibilities as the contracted service provider and our commitment to continuous improvement.

Since then, there has been public discussion and some misinformation about the Youth Hub, including its operations and future direction. Throughout this period, NCoBS has remained focused on delivering services for young people, strengthening the service and engaging constructively with Council and the community.

Council staff reviewed our service delivery and recommended that the current agreement be extended for a further 12 months. Their review did not identify any contractual non-compliance or deficiencies in the services delivered by NCoBS and acknowledged that decisions about our internal governance arrangements were matters for our organisation to determine.

These findings reinforce an important point: our decision not to seek a further extension is not a reflection of NCoBS's willingness, capability or commitment to deliver the Youth Hub. We remain confident in our ability to provide high-quality, child-safe and accountable community services.

The decision instead reflects the broader responsibilities of the Management Committee. Good governance is not simply about delivering a service; it is about protecting people, upholding organisational values and ensuring an organisation remains sustainable. After carefully considering the impact the circumstances surrounding the Youth Hub have had on our staff, volunteers and broader organisation, the Management Committee has determined that not seeking a further extension is the responsible decision for NCoBS.

Our vision has always been for a Youth Hub where every young person feels safe, welcome and valued. We believe young people deserve more than services delivered to them, they deserve services shaped with them. Their voices, experiences and ideas should help shape the spaces and services created for them.

A strong community service has a big table, one that brings together young people, families, community organisations, partner agencies and the broader community to help shape services that meet local needs.

We sincerely thank the many young people, families, volunteers, community members, partner organisations and supporters who have encouraged us throughout this period. Your support has meant a great deal.

To our staff and volunteers: thank you. Your professionalism, compassion and resilience during a challenging period have been exceptional. Every day, you have continued to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for young people while delivering important services to our community.

NCoBS will continue to meet all contractual obligations through to 31 August 2026 and will work constructively with Council to support an orderly transition to any future provider.

We sincerely hope the Youth Hub continues to thrive as a safe, inclusive and welcoming place, supported by strong governance, accountability and meaningful participation from young people themselves.

Young people deserve to be heard, respected and included in decisions that affect their lives. That will always be something Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire will advocate for.

Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire Inc.