New council to give the region’s youth a community voice
FOR the first time, Charters Towers Regional Council has inducted a Youth Council to represent young people in the community at council’s November general meeting.
The purpose of the group, as outlined in the Youth Council Terms of Reference, is to provide young people of the community to:
develop a better understanding of the role and function of local government and local issues;
‘have a voice’ – raise issues, exchange ideas, discuss community issues, provide input into council planning, programs and services and influence local government decision making processes; and
have genuine and regular communication about issues that are important to them.
Youth Council chairman Mayor Frank Beveridge said it was a momentous occasion for the region.
“The youth of today, represent tomorrow’s future and here at council we are very serious about growing a great future for our region,” Cr
Beveridge said. “We want our young people to tell us what is important to them so together we create a place they enjoy living in now, as they become young adults and have families.
“Likewise we want them to understand how council and community operate – so they understand challenges and be part of the solution to turning these into opportunities.”
The Youth Council will meet five times a year, including one induction workshop meetings.
The Youth Council 2021 members are Mayor Frank Beveridge, Deputy Mayor Sonia Bennetto, Corporate and Community Services director Kim Hargreaves, Community Services manager Hayley Thompson and students Mia Dickson, Layla Davies, Logan Coffison, Jessie Bull, Bryce Kingham, Grace Boref, Jack Watson, Magenta PopeBrown, Bonnie Spurdle and Taryn Woodard. and four official