Youth
“Young people see themselves as an asset to this community through the unique contribution they make and the life and atmosphere that they create in the Ararat Rural City”
Youth Action Plan 2008.
The Ararat Rural City is the home to three secondary colleges and eleven primary schools. In 2006, resident aged 12-17 years were 969 in number, representing 8.8% of the total population of the municipality. At the same time young people aged between 18-24 were 674 in number representing 6.1% of the total population. (ABS 2006 Census of population and Housing {enumerated})
Results from consultation with young people show that some of the issues faced by the next generation are,
- Underage Drinking
- Smoking and Drug use
- Bullying
- Peer Pressure
- Family Issues
- The way they are viewed by the adult population
- The need to be encouraged to be involved in their community
Ararat Rural City Council staff facilitates or support numerous youth based agencies within the municipality in the delivery of current and credible information and services for the young people of the region.
Council staff work closely with organisations such as Schools, Grampians Centre for Community Health, Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network, LenZone, Central Connect, Victoria Police and the YMCA.
The city has many sporting, cultural and educational facilities available within its boundaries. The Ararat Rural City Council Youth Action Plan 2008-2012 provides a framework for the inclusion of young people in council’s decisions.
See related documents on the right to view the plan.