A new youth and community hub has opened to the public in Gungahlin, while a larger permanent facility is planned and designed.

The new Gungahlin Community Centre is likely to be built by late 2026; until then, ‘Gunners Place’ will serve as a base for groups to come together, share ideas, and work on initiatives that support their community, Special Minister of State Chris Steel said. 

“The new facility located on Gribble Street will serve as a meeting place for the entire community, a place to deliver community programs.”

There are shared office spaces, a meeting room, and a small kitchen. A large 75-inch interactive smart board and Wi-Fi will be installed very soon. 

Barnardos Australia runs the facility, while Northside Community Services, Relationships Australia, and Multicultural Hub Canberra will be based there.

“We look forward to welcoming the local community into Gunners Place,” Michael Dunne, senior manager of Barnardos Australia, said.

“Young people will have an inviting, safe, non-judgemental and fun space where youth workers from the four services will be available to help and support them.

“Gunners Place will also be able to host other programs and school holiday events. The space can be hired out after hours and on weekends by the community.”

A community panel worked with the ACT Government to determine what the community centre should include, where it should be located, what it should look like, and how it should be managed.

The draft designs – which can be viewed on the YourSay Conversations website – have been developed to deliver a space that best meets the needs of the entire Gungahlin community, Mr Steel said.

Other community facilities in Gungahlin include community centres, community halls, and the Communites@Work community centre on Ernest Cavanagh Street, which can also be booked for community events.