Council has adopted a new action plan co-designed with young people to improve youth wellbeing, build social cohesion and increase youth participation in community life.
The Youth Voice Action Plan 2028 - Shaping the Beaches' Future sets a roadmap for young people on the Beaches, addressing social, cultural and economic issues across four focus areas. These range from social issues like 'connection' and 'equity', to the more pressing challenges of affordable housing and employment.
As a first step Council will be developing a monitoring an evaluation plan that ensures young people are continually involved in the implementation and delivery of the Plan.
This responds to one of the most frequently requested and mentioned themes throughout the exhibition period.
A key priority will be ensuring our processes and programs support the outcomes identified in the Plan by the large and diverse group of young people living on the Beaches.
Another focus will be on capacity building and skills development, particularly relating to life skills, financial literacy and soft skills, alongside more formal education and career/employment assistance and pathways.
Northern Beaches Council Interim CEO Louise Kerr said the plan was drafted following an extensive consultation with more than 1,000 young people contributing over 1,100 comments.
"Some of the key themes to emerge from our discussions with young people were inclusion and diversity, mental health and cost of living pressures" Ms Kerr said.
"There was also strong interest from the community for greater intergenerational connection through mentoring, traineeships and skills development.
"Young people also told us that information about critical services for mental health and financial assistance should be easier to access."
The plan maps out a series of positive actions for youth development and capacity building, which includes plans for up-skilling young people and ensuring their voices are heard.
The draft plan received 191 responses while on public exhibition and that feedback has informed the final action plan.
"Young people are active contributors and essential to a thriving and vibrant community," Ms Kerr said.
"They are our current and future leaders, innovators, creatives, and environmental caretakers. We've walked alongside them throughout this project and with their help, created a plan that supports them in the ways that they need and want."
