Council’s Youth Strategy reflects community’s voice
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Published on 06 March 2024
Following months of community engagement with some of Baw Baw Shire’s youngest generations, Council officially endorsed the final draft of its Youth Strategy 2024-2028 (the Strategy) at its monthly Council meeting yesterday afternoon.
The strategy has been created by listening to the voices of residents aged 12-25 and gathering their thoughts and ideas for a healthier Baw Baw. It also takes into account the role and capacity of Council in supporting the community's younger people.
The Strategy incorporates five key priority areas, which are Voice and Leadership, Support and Services, Safety, Learning and Growing, and Health and Wellbeing.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said that this strategy is one of many that aims to create change and influence healthy outcomes for the Shire’s young people over time.
“People aged 12-25 represent 15.8% of the Baw Baw community and it was wonderful to hear from so many of you during our two rounds of community consultation,” the Mayor said.
“Nearly 160 people aged between 12 and 25 filled out a survey for us, of which we took the feedback from to inform the final draft of this Strategy.”
“Throughout this community engagement, our young people told us that they want to see more open space, improved opportunities to connect, an overall uplift in mental health and improved community safety – it’s our aim that through this strategy, as well our Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, that we can achieve these outcomes, or take actions towards them.
“Without a Youth Strategy, Council risks failing to meet the needs of younger people, and it is also important to recognise the valuable input that younger people can bring to support Council programming and services.”
The draft Strategy supersedes the previous Strategy "Building the Best Years" and the Youth Policy.
It is expected that the Strategy will increase the health and wellbeing of younger people by creating inclusive practices at Council and fostering opportunities in the community for young people to become better connected with services, feel safer, learn, and grow.