Works underway on new Darwin Northern Suburbs Youth Hub

9 October 2026

• Construction has commenced on the Northern Suburbs Youth Hub at Leanyer Recreation Park.

• Purpose-built facility will provide a safe, supervised space for 10-to-17-year-olds, featuring a learning kitchen, media room, and half basketball court.

• Hub is expected to open in mid-2027 to deliver positive pathways, skill-building, and support services for young Territorians.

Works are underway at the new Northern Suburbs Youth Hub at Leanyer Recreation Park to deliver a dedicated space for young people in Darwin’s northern suburbs.

The purpose-built facility will provide a safe, supervised, inclusive and engaging space for young people aged 10 to 17 years supporting a range of youth focused activities and services.

The hub will include a flexible air-conditioned activity space, staff and meeting room, a learning kitchen, media and games room, accessible amenities, dedicated staff and support areas, and a half basketball court.

Located within the established recreational precinct at Leanyer Recreation Park, the facility has been designed to complement nearby community amenities while maintaining privacy, accessibility and safety for young people.

Initial works by Aspire Design and Construct recently commenced with construction expected to be completed by mid-2027.

The project is funded through a $5 million Albanese Government commitment under the Priority Community Infrastructure Program.

The Leanyer Recreation Park location follows community feedback to ensure the facility is accessible and well-integrated within Darwin's northern suburbs.

Quotes attributable to NT Youth, Seniors and Equality Minister Jinson Charls:

“The project will provide a safe and community-focused space for Territory youth.

"The start of construction is an exciting milestone for young people and families across Darwin's northern suburbs.

"This hub will provide a safe, welcoming place where young people can connect with friends, learn new skills, participate in positive activities and access support services close to home.

"We've listened to the community and designed a facility that responds to the needs of young people while complementing the existing recreational spaces at Leanyer.

"The Northern Suburbs Youth Hub will create more opportunities for young Territorians to build confidence, develop life skills and strengthen their connections to community, while building on the Finocchiaro CLP Government's commitment to growth, certainty and security for the Territory."

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“The new youth hub will provide opportunities for young people in Darwin’s north to connect, build skills, participate in activities and access support services close to home.

“This is a great example of our commitment to investing in infrastructure that creates real, lasting positive impacts for communities.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling OAM MP:

"It is tremendous to see the youth hub finally begin construction after the Albanese Government committed to it in 2022.

"This investment is about enabling positive pathways for the NT’s young people and providing access to the facilities and support they need to thrive.

"The new youth hub will be a valuable community asset that gives young people a safe place to gather and learn and will support their wellbeing and development."

Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Member for Casuarina Khoda Patel MLA:

"This purpose-built facility has been designed with children in mind, creating an inclusive environment where they can feel supported, connected and engaged with our territory lifestyle.

"With space for a range of structured and informal activities, the Youth Hub will be a valuable addition to the northern suburbs and help meet the future needs of young Territorians."

Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Member for Karama Brian O’Gallagher MLA:

"I’m thrilled to see construction begin on a facility that will provide dedicated spaces for Territory youth to come together in a safe, supervised setting close to public transport and existing community amenities.

"The Northern Suburbs Youth Hub will complement the endless activities already available at Leanyer Recreation Park and provide a welcoming environment where young people, including those in Karama and Malak, can thrive right here in the northern suburbs of Darwin.”

Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Member for Wanguri Oly Carlson MLA:

"The new Youth Hub at Leanyer Recreation Park will provide local children with a safe and welcoming place to connect, learn new skills and take part in positive activities after school and during the holidays.

"Its location within this well-used recreational precinct makes it easily accessible for families and young people across Darwin's northern suburbs, helping create opportunities for connection, participation and wellbeing."

Quote attributable to NT Youth Round Table member, Sky Kiah Mullen
 
"Every young person deserves the right to have access to a safe space and I believe that the development of the Leanyer Youth Hub, which incorporates young people's input, will be able to support this."

Quotes attributable to Lisa Jenkinson, Executive Director, Aspire Design & Construct

"Aspire is proud to have been awarded the design and construct contract for the Leanyer Youth Hub.

"This is an important project for the local community, and we’re excited to help deliver a space that will create opportunities and make a lasting difference for young people.

"The passion and commitment shown by the Sports and Recreation team throughout this process has been fantastic, and we look forward to working together to bring this vision to life."

Media contact: Jason McIntosh (0492 166 281)

Design of the Hub.

Pictured: Khoda Patel MLA, CLP Member for Casuarina; Brian O’Gallagher MLA, CLP Member for Karama; Sky Kiah Mullen, NT Youth Round Table member; the Hon Jinson Charls MLA, Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality; Luke Gosling OAM MP, Federal Member for Solomon; Jim Eadie, Managing Director; and Lisa Jenkinson, Executive Director of Aspire Design & Construct.

Pictured: Brian O’Gallagher MLA, CLP Member for Karama; the Hon Jinson Charls MLA, Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality; Sky Kiah Mullen, NT Youth Round Table member; Khoda Patel MLA, CLP Member for Casuarina; with the design.