By Michael Burt
Community members and Shire Councillors have voiced concern about the future of the Bello Youth Hub following the departure of two senior staff in recent weeks.
Reduced access to the Hub’s facilities has further unsettled residents and the business community, inspiring calls from Councillors Jennie Fenton and Dominic King for improved transparency.
The Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire (NCoBS) has been the contracted provider responsible for management and operation of the Hub since 2023.
The Hub’s youth services and facilities have continued to flourish in that time, leading to a NSW Youth Service of the Year award in 2025 for its innovation, youth engagement, impact and sector leadership. The NSW Youth Work Awards judges called Bello Youth Hub a “stand-out winner”.
That recognition highlighted the local, relationship-based model that is shaped each week by the young people who use the Hub, and the support of families, schools, services, businesses and volunteers across the shire.
NCoBS has advised Council that the Hub remains operational and continues to be managed under the existing service agreement arrangements.
However, the recent departure of senior staff, including the Coordinator, has raised alarm bells in the community.
Cr Jennie Fenton will be responding with a motion at the June Ordinary Meeting of Council seeking a report on the Hub’s activities and improved transparency for the community.
Cr Fenton said responsibility for management and oversight of the Hub was transferred to the NCoBS in 2023 from a Council Section 355 management committee.
“Prior to that, the Youth Hub Coordinator, presented a report every three months in Council Chambers that included their successes and what they did with grants,” Cr Fenton said.
“That stopped three years ago. I will be asking Council for a report on how the three-year contract is going so far and for six monthly reports into the future.”
“It is a public asset, and the management of public assets needs to be as transparent as possible. And this youth hub has been cited as one of the best in NSW.”
“The Hub and the Neighbourhood Centre are both crucial assets for our community, and they both punch well above their weight.”
Cr Dominic King said he has relayed community concerns to relevant Council staff and backs seeking transparency on the Hubs future program.
Cr King said Councillors had been “left in the dark” since the NCoBs took over management.
“We have not had a report on what’s going on at the Youth Hub, which was something we got on a regular basis,” Cr King.
“I know how valuable the youth hub is to the community. More so than ever, we need these kinds of places for our youth.”
Bellingen Chamber of Commerce President Frank Perez said the business sector is a strong supporter of the Youth Hub.
“The Bellingen Chamber of Commerce has created a partnership with the Youth Hub to assist with its programs,” Mr Perez said.
“It is a safe and inclusive space for the young people of the Bellingen Shire.”
NCoBS manager Kristen Collier said there is no change to the day-to-day operations of the Hub and no major changes are planned other than finding a new Coordinator.
“We’re about to begin recruitment for a new Coordinator and we’ve got an interim coordinator starting this week who has extensive experience working with young people and communities,” Ms Collier said.
“We are also working with council on how we provide information on how the Hub is performing and how we build more engagement. One of those engagement ideas is the creation of a youth advisory panel to Council.”