NINE young Southern Downs residents had the ear of the council late last week as they worked towards developing a Youth Action Plan for the coming year.
The planning meeting was held at the Warwick RSL on Thursday and involved discussions between the Young Leaders, Councillors, Council staff and guests (headspace Warwick, SDIEA, and CDS Stanthorpe).
All participants were enthusiastic particularly discussing the issues facing young people across the region.
Some plans were developed for these issues on the night; however further discussion and planning will be held during the next month to develop the final Youth Action Plan for 2016/2017, which will go before Council in July.
Southern Downs Regional Council’s Youth Development Officer, Hailey Cosh said the Youth Action Plan meeting was invaluable as the young leaders were able to highlight issues and ideas with Councillors and council senior staff.
“Our nine young leaders are passionate about their communities and bursting with ideas as well as being serious about tackling social issues,” Hailey said.
“Council is committed to addressing the needs of youth in our community, with emphasis on building partnerships across the region; developing opportunities and encouraging participation, to ensure that our diverse range of young people have a voice and the support to become more independent and self-determining individuals.
“The 2016 Young Leader Team is ready to take on the opportunity and use the program as an initiative to identify exciting projects for young people across the Southern Downs.”
Mayor Tracy Dobie said all Councillors are keen to work with the young leaders on issues of importance.
“It was a pleasure to join this year’s young leaders as they begin planning for the 2016/17 Youth Action Plan,” she said.
“I was most impressed by their innovative ideas and enthusiasm to represent young people across the region and to bring interesting and exciting projects to the table.
“Council is certainly energised by their presence and we look forward to the adoption of the final plan and the roll out of their projects.
“We have confidence that our young leaders will be the voice of young people in the Southern Downs and, that the team will have a positive impact in matters of importance and interest to our young people.“
The mayor and the council officers thanked the contributors to the annual Youth Action Plan, including SDIEA (Southern Downs Industry Education Association), headspace Warwick, and CDS Stanthorpe. The Youth Action Plan also links with Council’s corporate and operational plans, and the Southern Downs Community Plan 2030.
The 2016 Southern Downs Young Leaders team is: Liana Allen – Stanthorpe (Previous Young Leader 2015), Samantha Gianini – Stanthorpe, Darcie Heaven – Stanthorpe, Chrishelle Bowman – Killarney, Brett Lister-Petersen – Warwick, Bianca Fitch – Warwick (Previous Young Leader 2014 and Young Ambassador 2010-2013), Jasmine Watts – Warwick (Previous Young Leader 2015), Jacob Meiklejohn – Warwick (Previous Young Leader 2015), Tiarna King – Warwick (Junior Young Leader 2016).
