Council
27 February, 2026
New strategy for youth engagement
A NEW youth strategy was adopted by Corangamite Shire Council at Tuesday’s monthly council meeting.
The Corangamite Youth Strategy 2026-2030 and implementation plan will replace the previous strategy, with focus on the community, economy, infrastructure environment and leadership opportunities.
Under the community field, the strategy aims to provide community leadership training to facilitate youth engagement, support and facilitate events and opportunities which increase social connections, develop resources and mentoring opportunities, support community to offer increased recreation diversity and deliver social engagement and celebration events.
Initiatives under the priority area of the economy include partnering with agencies and businesses to offer access to local career experiences, facilitating short courses, entrepreneurial and mentoring programmes and working with businesses and providers to increase the number of traineeships and apprenticeships available.
Infrastructure initiatives include working with relevant stakeholders, local transport providers and youth services to pilot flexible transport models, such as community shuttles or mobile hubs, improving youth engagement with bike and walking paths connecting towns and advocating for reduced licensing age of 17 and introduction of restricted licences in line with other states.
Environment initiatives include supporting community groups to develop or enhance opportunities for connection with nature such as fishing, hiking, kayaking, camping, developing and facilitating environmental educational programs, community workshops and volunteer opportunities to promote positive environmental behaviours and working with community groups to develop environmental events including clean up and planting days.
Council is also aiming to provide opportunities for an ongoing, meaningful youth voice to inform council action, explore and facilitate partnerships to develop and grow supportive environments for diverse youth and facilitate and develop youth leadership capacity, advocacy and engagement.
Coordinator community development and engagement Bec Reedman said a number of community consultation sessions were held between March and October last year, with over 500 young people providing feedback.
“Engagement included youth, youth sector staff, schools, employers, council staff and community members,” she said.
“Consultation sessions were undertaken using a variety of methods including Breakfast with the Mayor at all seven schools, the Youth Leadership Summit, surveys, young worker forums, and Your Say on the council website.
“A draft strategy was released for a six-week period of public consultation in November 2025 through direct mail and the online Your Say page.
“A range of comments were received from community and industry representatives relating to the goals and objectives of the strategy as well as general feedback on the overall strategy.
“Issues raised during consultation include roads, the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF), focus on families in need, roadside maintenance, community values, increased competitive sport and readability of the strategy.”
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