Local high school students will get a taste of what it’s like to be a Councillor when Central Coast Council hosts its annual Future Council program.

Students in Years 9 and 10 will participate in mock Council meetings in Wyong on Friday 3 August and Gosford on Friday 10 August. The Future Council program is a partnership between Central Coast Council and Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre.

The meetings provide a practical learning experience about citizenship and local government decision making. Students will debate topical local issues they are passionate about and will cast a vote on behalf of their community, just like a real Councillor, with the Mayor or Deputy Mayor in the Chair.

Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said Future Council is a great opportunity for students to develop an understanding of how local government works and a taste of the skills and knowledge required to make decisions that affect residents of their community.

“We work closely with our local schools and make sure the topics relate to the curriculum and what they are studying in their classroom but are also of interest to the broader community,” Ms Vaughan said.

Students participating in the forums will debate issues including banning plastic straws, offshore gas exploration, clean-powered ‘smart’ transport options, urban forests, coastal erosion, food waste disposal, bikeshare partnerships and the development of a recycling plant, youth centre and music festival site.

Mayor Jane Smith said she is looking forward to seeing the Coast’s future leaders in the Chambers with her debating local issues.

“I hope we can inspire some of the students to think of local government as a career in the future,” Mayor Smith said. “They will actually be sitting in the Chambers with me, in the Councillors’ chairs which will give them an authentic experience.

“We are proud to host this program for our local students as we want more young people to participate in civic life and their community. I look forward seeing some of these students as leaders in our Council in the future.”

Local schools taking part in Future Council include Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College – Tumbi Campus, Lakes Grammar, Wyong Christian Community School, Saint Brigid’s Catholic College, Northlakes High School, Central Coast Steiner School, Brisbane Water Secondary College – Umina Campus, Saint Joseph’s Catholic College, Gosford High School, Kariong Mountains High School, Terrigal High School, Kincumber High School, Narara Valley High School and Erina High School.

ENDS

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