Narrabri Shire Youth Council to be established next month

Councillors voted to establish a Narrabri Shire Youth Council at the May ordinary meeting, in order to give young people in the community a platform to identify and advocate on priorities important to them.

Narrabri mayor Ron Campbell said youth were often "left behind" in country towns, so this would ensure the council focused on young people and made sure they had a say on what they wanted to see happen in the shire.

"I certainly am trying to find things for youth to do and if the youth council contributes to council's decisions and gives us ideas on what they would like to see happen ... it's only good," Cr Campbell said.

"I think council realised the need in the community for it because one of the other youth organisations doesn't sort of exist anymore and I've had conversations in regards to career paths and looking at engaging with youth in that sort of forum is good for their personal development as well.

"Maybe they'll be future councillors one day."

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The youth council will consist of a maximum of 10 volunteer members aged between 14 and 24. The council will have a youth mayor and deputy mayor with Narrabri Shire Council staff providing mentorship to young members at all meetings.

The council will call for nominations in early June for membership on the youth council.

The council's general manager Stewart Todd is pleased the council has reached the point where it can call for youth council members.

"This is a project we have been working on in the background for quite a while, researching and investigating other youth council models so we get the formula right for our shire," Mr Todd said.

"I am excited and really looking forward to working with the youth mayor and deputy mayor once appointed, to draft and then implement a shire-wide youth strategy."

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