Central Coast Council is asking young people, youth services and the wider community to have their say on the Coast’s first-ever Youth Strategy, developed in response to what over 1,600 young people told Council was most important to them. 

The strategy, developed in partnership with Council’s Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Action Team, sets the direction for Council in the delivery of its services, programs, events, activities and infrastructure to meet needs and opportunities identified by young people and youth services on the Central Coast over the next five years.

Mayor Jane Smith said this is a Strategy that has been developed by young people for young people to create a viable future on the Central Coast.  

“I am very proud to support Council’s Y4Y Team in the development of this strategy which outlines a renewed focus on how Council engages with, works with, and supports young people on the Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.

“It was really important to hear from our young people, youth services and interested residents who contributed over 8,000 thoughts ideas and opinions about what’s great about the Coast, but more importantly what we can do as a community to make it better. 

“Our young people want better transport around the Coast, more things to do, more local jobs and a cleaner environment. I want to assure them, we are listening and will work closely with our young people to deliver.”

To develop the strategy, Council engaged with local young people through the Y4Y Action Team, an online youth survey, school workshops, youth intercept surveys, and interactive sessions.

Council’s Director, Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said Council believes that the strength of this Strategy lies with what we heard from the Coast’s young people and the Strategy actions demonstrate what we’re going to do about it.

“Hearing from and acting on what our young people have told us is crucial for the successful implementation of this Strategy and working together to create an even better Central Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.

“They told us the things they are worried about and what they love. This Strategy is built around six key themes – Including Us, Happy and Healthy, Feeling Safe, Somewhere to Live, Living Green and Skilled and Ready – and acts to turn around the bad and build on the good.”

Once adopted, the Strategy will be rolled out through a series of actions including services, activities, programs and events with key partners across the coast. 

Have your say on the Coast’s first-ever Central Coast Youth Strategy by visiting www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/youth-strategy. Submissions close Friday 23 August 2019.