Goulburn’s Headspace centre is on track for an early 2017 opening, Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has confirmed.

“The Coalition will provide $200 million in guaranteed funding for 100 Headspace centres over the coming years, including the Goulburn district centre.

“The Coalition’s landmark mental health reforms are putting the power to set up Headspace centres in the hands of local communities who want them, via the local Primary Health Networks (PHN), in our case the South Eastern NSW PHN - not leaving it up to bureaucrats in Canberra,” he said.

Mr Taylor said claims that funding for youth mental health services such as Headspace were at risk, were false and misleading.

“I want to assure the community that the Coalition is committed to realising the Goulburn Headspace vision,” Mr Taylor said.

Mr Taylor last month announced Grand Pacific Health (GPH) – a consortium of local organisations - as the lead agency for the Goulburn Headspace centre, to manage the centre’s operations by establishing and maintaining the facilities and employing staff.

“There is an experienced lead agency in place, and a high-level consortium of partner organisations working towards an early 2017 opening.”

Goulburn’s Headspace will provide drug and alcohol, mental health, youth and general health services. GPH will also offer housing support and Indigenous services. GPH is currently looking at potential sites for the Goulburn centre.