Central Coast Council’s annual Future Council gives teenagers a feel for what it’s like to be councillors or community stakeholders and to debate important and contentious local issues.

Council’s community education, planning and learning team leader, Danielle Hargreaves, said Future Council showed students how local government works, and a taste of the skills and knowledge required to make decisions that affect those in their local community.    

“This forum gives the students an opportunity to explore environmental, social and economic issues in a format that is engaging and colourful,” Ms Hargreaves said.

“We want more young people to participate in civic life and their community and this program provides a forum where they can express views on issues they are passionate about, build self-confidence and encourage community connectedness.   

“Future Council gives students an understanding of civics and citizenships specific to their local community and displays how local government fits into a democratic process.”

Students discussed community gardens, light rail between Gosford and The Entrance, a plastic bag ban, shark culling, coastal erosion, rezoning of endangered ecological communities, the illegal dumping of mulch, changes to residential waste services, and the development application for Coast Chill Music Festival.

“We are proud to host this program for our local students and look forward seeing some of these students as leaders in our council in the future,” Ms Hargreaves said.

Among the local schools to take part were Wyong High School, Lakes Grammar Anglican School, Saint Brigid’s Catholic College and Lake Munmorah High School.