We are facing some big changes in the course of our council. They are changes that many of us hope will be a course-correction.

Big topics such as sustainability, town character and finances form the basis of some vital and exciting questions: What kind of community do we want to live in? What do we care about and for who? And why? A simple answer to the final question is: ‘The future!’

Naturally, I make it my business to engage with all of our community members on these important issues, but I plan to direct a significant amount of interest towards the younger

people of our area.

To my mind it seems we spend a lot of time on the adults in our society. In development, planning and many other things, I do not want to overlook our future generations.

The idea that young people don’t have as much to contribute as adults is ingrained in our culture. As adults, we often perpetuate the same things grown-ups told us when we were young.

Young people of all ages can make a contribution whether they’re in school, work, training, or some other arrangement or community organisation.

I am taking time to listen and learn from them. And I will do whatever I can to ensure the voices of our youth are included and heard at council.

Everyone is busy, including young people. They have packed schedules with school, extracurricular activities, work, and helping at home. Some may be carers – of siblings, parents or other family members – or they may even have young children of their own. If they are going to be giving up some of their time, they need to know it will be time well spent.

In scheduling youth engagement, we are mindful of that. Time is a precious commodity.

It is often assumed that more experience is always better. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It is very easy to dismiss the ideas and skills of young people as lacking experience, and shut them out of the conversation.

We need to recognise that young people have valuable and unique insights and knowledge. We should make room for different kinds of experience and value different perspectives.

With this in mind, this year’s annual Youth Engagement Council Meeting on 1 September will take a new format. One that invites participation from young people across our municipality, who will bring a range of talents, understanding and perspective. We will work in groups to discuss strategic goals and council plans that affect us all, much like we did with our Community Strategic Plan workshops earlier this year.

No experience is necessary to join in the creation of the future when you’ll own it!

I well remember how intimidating it can be to speak up in a group of adults. I’ll make sure that once our youth are at the table, we create an environment of respect that allows their voices to be heard.

We’re also keen to include a diversity of gender, age and circumstances to promote better and more meaningful youth engagement. This is absolutely necessary to ensure we’re not making assumptions based on our own beliefs, which may not be the reality for the next generation.

And it won’t begin and end with one meeting. I will also be visiting the Youthie (SENTRAL Youth Services) more regularly, seeking advice from our excellent Youth Services staff to make this a successful initiative. This way, we will ensure that the intergenerational conversation keeps flowing.

I believe that young people and adults have much to learn from each other because, together, we’re all creating the future of Kiama Municipality.