Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today led a sod-turning ceremony, marking the official start of construction of the new facility which will provide treatment, care and support for young people aged 16 to 25 who are experiencing mental health challenges.

Our Capital Projects team will assist the Victorian Health Building Authority to deliver the multi-million-dollar facility in Durham Street, Newington, which features a welcoming, home-like environment with 10 private bedrooms complete with ensuites. It will also feature communal kitchens, dining and living areas, breakout spaces and an outdoor garden to foster communal living.

CEO Dale Fraser said YPARC would help expand the range of treatment and support options available to young people across the Grampians region.

“Grampians Health, in collaboration with the City of Ballarat and Victorian Health Building Authority, have worked through an extensive design process seeking to balance the requirements for a fit-for-purpose facility that responded to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System,” Mr Fraser said.

“The new facility has been thoughtfully shaped by the insights and experiences of young people, carers and clinicians with lived experience in mental health.

“YPARC will greatly assist young people in the Grampians region as they will no longer need to travel to Melbourne, with support now available closer to home.”

Chief Redevelopment and Infrastructure Officer Veronica Furnier said YPARC was another example of Grampians Health's commitment to developing future-focused infrastructure to support our community.

"It’s fantastic to see work commencing on this much-needed modern facility which will help deliver high quality care for young people facing mental health challenges when they need it most,” Ms Furnier said.

Director of Nursing for Mental Health Dr Paula Matheson said YPARC would be a voluntary and referral-based service, allowing young people to continue attending work or school, while receiving the appropriate treatment, care and support they need in a safe, home-like environment.

“YPARC will provide early intervention for people who are unwell (step up) and a community-based treatment option for people in the early stages of recovery who need a short period of extra support (step down),” Dr Matheson said.

The new YPARC site is adjacent to the existing Grampians Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) centre on Pleasant Street South, Newington and is expected to be completed in early 2026.