Youth officer added to budget

Calls for a youth officer to be employed by Baw Baw Shire to engage with local youth have been heard.

Council has reshuffled money within its draft budget to transfer $60,000 from operational efficiencies to fund a new youth officer position.

Cr Jessica O’Donnell, who has been advocating for council to increase its youth focus, said funding for the youth officer had been taken from savings across three directorates.

“They found ways to tighten the purse strings so we can afford this,” she said.

During the budget submission period, Youth Voices advocate Barry Rogers and three Drouin Secondary College senior students urged council to find the resources for a youth officer and support a youth advisory group/

Youth Voices urged council to reinstate funding for youth services in its budget.

Mr Rogers said Youth Voices Baw Baw was a group of young people ready to become a part of the conversation. He said it had the potential to become an advisory group to council to give young people a voice an input into matters that affect them.

“The youth strategy will only be successful if the shire commits to providing leadership, co-ordination and advocacy by appropriately resourcing and staffing this initiative,” he said.

At its meeting last week, council also adopted a youth policy, subject to a greater emphasis in the policy on youth-led leadership and participation in education, training and development.

The Baw Baw Youth Charter was first developed and adopted by council in 2005 and revised three years later.

Following a recent review of the youth charter, officers developed a youth policy to support council’s vision and commitment to youth in the municipality.

It is proposed that a youth strategy be developed in conjunction with the policy, which will outline actions to achieve the policy principles.

Issues that were identified by young people in Baw Baw are consistent with national and state level consultations. The broad issues are mental health, education, local learning and employment opportunities, drug and alcohol and connection with Council.

Council has heard from youth living in Baw Baw through various avenues of consultation.

In April council engaged with about 600 young people (between the ages of 12 and 25) through a youth survey and focus group discussions in schools.

Council’s engagement showed that young people want to stay motivated, engaged in civic life and connected to family, friends and community.

The survey identified that accessible public transport was important to young people as they rely on this mode of transport to be independent and for day to day activities.

Young people also wanted affordable community events and sport facilities.

Cr Mikaela Power said the policy needed to focus more on leadership.

“We have to consider that young people can lead and what their role is,” she said.

Cr Jessica O’Donnell said it was a very exciting time for young people in Baw Baw.

“Young people are telling us what they need rather than us telling them,” she said.

Cr O’Donnell said the Party in the Park was a well attended event and showed the support for youth activities. Cr Tricia Jones said this was a “no brainer.” “Young people want services that are relevant and opportunities for them to get together,” she said.

Cr Danny Goss said it was a feel good story. He said the old policy was fairly abstract and general. He said the new policy didn’t provide a lot of specific details but was about providing opportunities.