The new Whittlesea youth council got underway last week.
At the group’s first official council meeting on February 5, the group were introduced to the workings of the youth council and set out their key areas of focus for the upcoming year, which include health and wellbeing, environment and climate change, employment and education, accessibility and inclusion.
The youth council formally replaces Whittlesea’s Youth Advisory Committee.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the youth council would provide young people in our community an opportunity to provide valuable advice to council on matters that affect them.
“We are very excited to welcome our new Youth Councillors on board and hearing their voices and unique perspectives,” she said.
“With close to twenty per cent of our population aged 10-24 years, it’s important that our young people are empowered to contribute to the governance of their local municipality.”
The thirteen members of the youth council are representative of the diverse youth population, with a mix of ages, cultures, genders, localities and passions. A youth council mayor and deputy mayor will be elected at the March meeting, with the group meeting monthly to discuss matters referred to them.
The council’s key responsibilities will include, providing valuable advice to council on matters affecting young people, creating opportunities for young people to engage with the council and have their voices heard, advocating for the interests, challenges, and opportunities faced by young people in our municipality, offering input and feedback on relevant matters referred from the council before formal decisions are made.
