The African Youth Centre in Redbank Plains in Ipswich will share in $4 million of new Australian Government funding to support Queensland’s African communities.
The funding is part of a $20 million investment in community-led grassroots programs, including $4 million for the Queensland African Communities Council’s (QACC) successful African Village project, which also includes youth centres in Moorooka and Geebung in Brisbane.
Delivered over four years from 2025-26, the African Australian Communities Program (AACP) will support QACC and other organisations across Australia that have a proven track record of delivering projects which meet the acute needs of African Australian communities.
The QACC African Village hub in Redbank Plains provides a safe place for the community and supports individuals, families and schools with locally designed and structured activities to ensure young African Australians at risk are supported at an early stage.
On top of this, a second stream under AACP will deliver $4 million over three years from 2026-27 for an open competitive process to build the capacity of community-led grassroots organisations to support their communities, and provide practical support to address community issues.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the announcement was great news for the African Australian community in Ipswich.
“Ensuring that we have strong partnerships in the community will go a long way to improving employment and education opportunities for young African Australians at risk,” Mr Neumann said.
“The African Village hubs help community members connect to their cultural heritage and identity.
“Their innovative programs also tackle the challenges facing young African Australians, and help give them a sense of belonging and purpose.
“The project has a strong track record of delivering for African Australian individuals and communities, and this funding will support the expansion of their African Village networks, supporting young African Australians at risk.
“I know grassroots volunteers and mentors at the African Youth Centre in Redbank Plains do amazing work providing guidance to young people at risk when it comes to both early intervention and rehabilitation.
“I’m so proud the Albanese Labor Government is supporting their efforts, and the local African Australian community more broadly, with this funding.
“Ipswich is not just one of the fastest growing regions in Queensland, it’s becoming one of the most diverse as well.
“African Australians already play a significant role in our community life, but there is so much more we can do to ensure that we meet the unique challenges facing this community.
“I want to thank those local stakeholders who have been working with me to see this kind of funding made available to the African Australian community.
“The Australian Government wants to work with the Queensland Government in this space, and we have approached them to propose shared funding for the African Village and other initiatives to help focus our activities on what will work.”
Photos: Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann announced Australian Government funding for Queensland’s African communities with Albanese Government colleagues and community leaders at the Moorooka African Youth Centre today.
