When is the new youth mental health centre opening in Ballarat?

In 2024, the Victorian Government announced a multi-million dollar project to uplift mental health support for young people throughout the Central Highlands and other regional parts of the state. 

The project was touted to provide a 10-bed centre with a “welcoming, home-like environment” targeting the 16-25 demographic. 

🤝What was promised: The new centre will be one portion of a $141 million project to double the available Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) network. Other centres were announced in Geelong, Shepparton, Heidelberg, and Traralgon. 

• The centre in Traralgon opened in October last year, with Heidelberg following closely with an opening in February.

The project comes in response to findings from the 2018 Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. It recommended YPARC services work to provide 24/7 care in a “home-like setting”, alleviating pressure on hospital admissions. 

🩺Why it’s important: The Royal Commission was set up in response to calls the mental health system in Victoria was failing. It was a sentiment reiterated by former Premier Dan Andrews, who described the system as “broken”.  

🏥 How is Ballarat tracking? According to a media release from the current Premier’s office, construction began in February 2025. 

The Brolga reached out to Grampians Health, who will run the centre once it is opened, and the Victorian Health Building Authority, responsible for delivering the project on behalf of the government. 

Neither were able to deliver an official opening and directed the Brolga to online resources discussing the project. There is no official opening date listed in these resources.

The only indicator of progression is an online video from Dynamic Steel Frame, the Dandenong manufacturer providing the steel, and the view of the construction site from the road. 

❓ What next? With no official opening date, Ballarat remains in limbo.