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Having your say
Philosophy
Young people have the right to participate as active members in the community and should be given opportunities to express their views, implement ideas and affect decision making. Pittwater Council recognises the value of young people and will continue to facilitate and support their involvement on matters relevant to them.
Pittwater Council endorses the principles articulated in Best Practice Principles for Youth Participation, and has based its principles for consultation on the Youth Action and Policy Association of NSW - Youth Participation Strategy.
Young people can participate through informal and formal consultation methods. Some of the more formal modes of consultation are as outlined below.
School consultations
Staff from Pittwater Council’s Social Planning and Community Development team run focus groups with students from local high schools. At least once a year, up to 30 students from each school will participate in a focus group session of about one hour. The focus group is a chance to discuss any issues affecting young people, as well as to keep young people informed and involved in Council decision making processes.
Pittwater Youth Forum
The Pittwater Youth Forum is held bi-annually, and is typically a one or two day event during school hours. Previous forums have seen over 100 young people from the four local high schools attend. The forum gives young people the opportunity to be informed and challenged by guest speakers, learn more about activities they could be involved in the community and be consulted on issues that affect them.
Pittwater Council builds the program for the Forum with the suggestions of young people in mind. If there are any issues you would liked addressed, please let us know your suggestions by contacting:
Contact: Suzanna Pawley,Community Development Officer
Phone: 9970 1152
Email: suzanna_pawley@pittwater.nsw.gov.au
Youth Week Activity
Provides a more formal network for young people to be involved in implementing their ideas through providing an entertainment event or activity for their peers. Local students will join with Council to implement an entertainment event for Youth Week. Skills based training and co-ordination of this event occurs during class time. Students are supported to implement agreed ideas for this activity.
Social Plan consultation
Pittwater Council is in the process of developing a new Social Plan.
Young people will be included in the conversations informing this new plan.
Other consultations
Young people will be invited to participate and express opinions on specific issues that may affect them, including such things as youth facilities, youth activities and events.
This may be conducted in one of the following methods such as:
- Email consultation
- Survey consultation
- Focus groups
Pittwater Council community engagement
Council is keen to engage with the community to inform them and consult with them on issues that may affect them. Council is committed to undertaking transparent and genuine consultation so that it is in a better position to: meet the needs of the community; tap into local knowledge and expertise; have a more informed community; and encourage and enable community participation in the decision making process.
There are various ways to have your say on a variety of council issues. For more information visit:
