Students participate in mock council

Students from Brisbane Water Secondary College have attended Central Coast Council's annual Future Council program.

Hosted by Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre at Gosford, the program aimed to provide practical experience inn civics, citizenship and local government decision making for Years 9 and 10 students.

Those attending were given the opportunity to debate matters of local government during two mock debates on August 27 and 29, presided over by mayor Cr Jane Smith and deputy mayor Cr Chris Holstein respectively.

Council director Ms Julie Vaughan said that during the mock debate students deliberated on real issues affecting the Central Coast and were able to cast a vote on behalf of their community, just like their elected councillors.

Students who participated in the forums used mock business papers to debate issues including urban forests, greening the Central Coast, light rail between Gosford and The Entrance, a development application for a green waste facility in a residential area, securing water supply during drought, climate change mitigation, the proposed development of a tip shop at Council's waste facilities, and community energy programs.

"We work closely with our local schools, making sure the topics relate to the curriculum and provide opportunities for students to experience decision making on topics that could occur in our local government area," she said.

Cr Smith said Future Council was always a highlight of her calendar and that she thoroughly enjoyed debating local issues with the region's future leaders.

"I am really proud to be able to take an active role in this this program that provides a forum where young people can express views on issues they are passionate about, build self-confidence and encourage community connectedness," Cr Smith said.

"With young people making up 25 per cent of our population we want more of this demographic to participate in civic life and their community as the decisions we make now impact their future.

"I hope we can inspire some of our local students to one day run for public office themselves and represent their community," she said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 27 Aug 2019

Jane Smith, Central Coast Council