There will be a new mindfulness garden in Victoria Park, Goulburn, after successful lobbying for the project by the Goulburn Mulwaree Youth Council and Goulburn Mulwaree Council Mayor Bob Kirk.
Council allocated $55,000 for the project and the NSW Government made a one-off grant of $15,000 after Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman and NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor lent their support to the project.
Goulburn Youth Council mayor Charlotte Hargan said the project will be a significant step towards breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health in the city.
“The project will provide a safe and welcoming space for anyone to discuss issues affecting them and will provide an environment where we can reflect and build mindfulness,” she said.
“We believe this will greatly benefit the youth of Goulburn and others in our community.”
Ms Tuckerman welcomed the investment from the NSW Government and said the garden will be an asset for the Goulburn Health and Wellbeing Precinct.
Ms Taylor commended the Goulburn Mulwaree Youth Council for helping to get the project off the ground.
“It’s fantastic to see these young leaders stepping up to find innovative ways to improve the health and wellbeing of their peers,” she said.
“This garden will be a beautiful place where young people from all walks of life can get away from their day-to-day stresses and spend some time on themselves.”
The garden will have a conversation pit and be a relaxing space where youth and other community members can relax, chat and enjoy Victoria Park.
Work is expected to begin in the second half of 2020. Design concepts will be completed this month.