Strategic plan to guide youth policy

THE Surf Coast Shire has used data from last year’s Youth Census as the building blocks of its Youth Strategy for the next three years.

The strategy is aimed at the about 5,200 young people aged 12 to 25 who live in the shire, a cohort that represents about 14 per cent of the municipality’s population.

Councillors adopted the Youth Strategy 2022-2025, which provides a vision and direction on how young people in the community can be supported and empowered, at their December 13 meeting.

The strategy was heavily influenced by feedback gathered in the Youth Census 2021.

Various input – including from young people aged 12 to 25 – shaped the strategy’s six focus areas: mental health support, environment, recreation, arts, culture, and alcohol and other drug support.

Cr Gary Allen said he was pleased to see young people using their voice.

“The Youth Census was a great success, welcoming input from 1,084 young people which laid the foundations for the Youth Strategy.

“We also received 23 submissions on the draft strategy – 20 of which were from young people.

“Their feedback reiterated what is most important to them, with mental health support and environment topping the list.”

The Youth Strategy features strategies and actions in each focus area.

“From enhancing sport and recreation participation opportunities for young people, to hosting and supporting events where young artists and performers can showcase their talent, we look forward to seeing the strategy implemented.

“Other actions include working with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share their voice, deliver teen mental health first aid courses, and playing our role on a consistent approach to tacking drug and alcohol usage across the community.”

The strategy also emphasised the shire’s aspirations to embed inclusivity, making every effort to ensure shire facilities, programs and events were respectful and inclusive of everyone in the community, including LGBTQI+ people, people with disability and culturally and linguistically diverse people.

“The council is excited to see work with local young people and key stakeholders, including service providers, take place to bring the Youth Strategy to life, working in collaboration to achieve positive outcomes for our community,” Cr Allen said. “We’re grateful for the support from local secondary schools, highlighted by the strategy featuring messages from the Lorne P-12 and Surf Coast Secondary College principals who have shared insights about our young people.”

For more, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Community/Surf-Coast-Youth