For 55 years, Woden Community Service has “provided vital services … across housing support, mental health, and early learning,” Special Minister of State Chris Steel said, but its staff are scattered across different sites. By the end of the decade, however, all of its services will be brought together under the one roof, in a new, fit-for-purpose facility.

The four-storey community centre will be built on Callam Street, next to the new Woden public transport interchange and the Woden youth centre. It will also have two levels of portable community meeting rooms, where community groups can deliver services, run events, hold meetings, and host arts activities, Mr Steel said.

Construction will begin in 2026–27. The ACT Government has allocated funding in the budget, but will not reveal the amount until after the procurement process.

Jenny Kitchin, CEO of Woden Community Service, said the organisation was delighted with the news.

“It brings together all our services onto one site,” Ms Kitchin said. “For many years, we have operated in many different areas; this is going to be able to bring people together far more effectively, and also open up space to the much broader community. It’s not just for us; it’s for everyone.”

Woden Community Service provides support for mental health, disability, aged care, youths, families, and social outreach, and runs after-school care and early learning centres.

Mr Steel said the community centre was part of a suite of ACT Government investment in Woden’s social infrastructure that included the CIT Woden campus and upgrading the Woden library.