Agenda of Youth Advisory Committee - Wednesday, 18 May 2022

Youth Advisory Committee

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 18 May, 2022

Location: Jervis Bay Room, Level 3, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time: 10:00am

Please note: Council’s Code of Meeting Practice permits the electronic recording and broadcast of the proceedings of meetings of the Council which are open to the public. Your attendance at this meeting is taken as consent to the possibility that your image and/or voice may be recorded and broadcast to the public.

Agenda

1. Election of Chairperson (every meeting)

2. Acknowledgement and Welcome to Country

3. Apologies

4. Confirmation of Minutes

· Youth Advisory Committee - 16 March 2022............................................................... 1

5. Declarations of Interest

6. Presentations

YA22.9........ Sustainability Presentation

Shoalhaven City Council’s Sustainability Lead and Land Management Team will provide a presentation to the YAC regarding Council’s work on environmental sustainability, Bushcare and Land Management in the Shoalhaven. This presentation has been requested by the YAC in response to the identification that responding to Climate Change and creating sustainable environments are a priority concern for young people in the Shoalhaven.

YA22.10...... Open Round Table Discussion - Climate Change and Sustainability Concerns for Young People in the Shoalhaven

Given the theme of today’s presentations we would like to take the time to open the floor to YAC members to discuss Climate Change and Sustainability in the Shoalhaven. In taking a Youth-led approach we will utilise the Australian Youth Climate Coalition’s Climate Justice Survey 2022 to facilitate this discussion so that feedback may be collated and returned to the AYCC on behalf of the YAC.

The Australian Youth Climate Coalition is Australia’s largest youth-run organisation, their mission is to build a movement of young people leading solutions to the climate crisis.

The AYCC are engaging communities and political leaders across Australia on climate solutions that address the climate impacts we’re already facing.

The AYCC will collate all data received through these surveys and provide a report to show the upcoming Federal election candidates from all parties that communities are calling for justice centred solutions to climate change.

We will split into small groups to discuss and then report back to the Committee with results.

Climate Justice Survey

Question 1.

How worried are you about climate change?

Not

at all worried

Not very

worried

Somewhat worried

Moderately worried

Extremely worried

Question 2.

What climate change impacts are you worried about for you and your community?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 3.

Have you or your community experienced the climate impacts you are concerned about in the last 4 years?

Yes

Unsure

Question 4.

In the past year, the federal government has committed $10 billion dollars in public money (money collected via taxes for public investment and public services provided by the Federal government) and tax breaks (big corporations pay little or no tax) to gas corporations for new fracking projects, gas wells and power stations across Australia. Additional government funding has been provided for coal.

Do you think the government should be spending government funding on coal, oil, and gas projects?

No: Strongly oppose

Oppose

Neither oppose nor support

Support

Yes: Strongly support

Question 5.

At the same time that the government is giving public money to big gas corporations, a lot of people are doing it tough as a result of the pandemic, and the needs of our community and environment are being overlooked. What solutions to climate change do you think the Federal Government should spend public money on? This question is open-ended, please take a few minutes to jot down some of your thoughts.

Add your thoughts below, e.g., community owned renewable energy, public health care, education

Question 6.

Do you think that the next Federal government should invest in ensuring all of our public schools, hospitals, government offices, public and social housing, halls and libraries are 100% powered by renewable energy by 2025?

No: Strongly oppose

Oppose

Neither oppose nor support

Support

Yes:

Strongly support

Question 7.

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are on the front lines of climate change impacts - from heat waves to sea-level rise. At the same time, many coal and gas companies are pushing projects ahead without proper consent from Traditional Owners. On a scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree” - Do you agree that Traditional Owners should have final say over what happens on their country, and have the resources to care for their lands and waters?

No: Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Yes: Strongly Agree

Question 8.

Right now, there is no clear plan to support people living and working in areas dependent on the fossil fuel industry as renewable energy becomes cheaper and more available and coal mines and power plants start to close. On a scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree” - Do you think the Government should fund job creation initiatives and programs to support fossil fuel communities into climate positive jobs with fair pay, training opportunities and long-term security?

No: Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Yes: Strongly Agree

Thank you so much for answering these questions.

References:

[1] Dr Sven Teske and Dr Sarah Niklas, “Fossil Fuel Exit Strategy: An orderly wind down of coal, oil and gas to meet the Paris Agreement,” University of Technology, Sydney, June 2021. Online: https://indd.adobe.com/view/e0092323-3e91-4e5c-95e0-098ee42f9dd1

[2] Katharine Murphy and Adam Morton, “‘We can’t begin in 2049’: Labor signals more ambitious target for emissions cuts,” The Guardian Australia, August 2021. Online: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/aug/19/we-cant-begin-in-2049-chris-bowen-calls-for-stronger-climate-goals-as-he-signals-labors-plan

[3] Paul W Graham, Jenny Hayward, James Foster, Oliver Story and Lisa Havas CSIRO, “Annual Update Finds Renewables Are Cheapest New-Build Power,” CSIRO, December 2018. Online: https://www.csiro.au/en/News/News-releases/2018/Annual-update-finds-renewables-are-cheapest-new-build-power

[4] Market Forces, “How Australia’s big banks are undermining the Paris Agreement,” 2020. Online: https://www.marketforces.org.au/campaigns/banks/bigfourscorecard/

YA22.11...... Disaster Management and Recovery Presentation

Shoalhaven City Council’s Community Recovery Officer, Andrea Forsyth and the Local Emergency Management Officer, Kim White, will provide a presentation to the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) regarding Council’s Emergency Management processes and work in Community Recovery following the recent natural disasters and building resilience in the Shoalhaven. This presentation has been requested by the YAC in response to the identification that responding to Climate Change and creating sustainable environments are a priority concern for young people in the Shoalhaven.

7. Reports

YA22.12...... Action Table Update - May 2022.................................................................... 9

8. General Business

Minutes of the Youth Advisory Committee

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 16 March 2022

Location: Council Chambers, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time: 10:06am

The following members were present:

Clr Paul Ell

Clr Patricia White

Clr Moo D'Ath (remotely)

Bridget Raftery – Vincentia High School - Chairperson (remotely)

Shoalhaven High School – Emily McNeil; Maddison Harris; Dylan Hollier; Georgia Henderson

Vincentia High School – Bridget Raftery; Saphira Webber; Jaymee-Lee Joines (remotely)

Ulladulla High School – Ebony Wellman (remotely)

Bomaderry High School – Caleb Shaw (remotely)

Ms St Johns the Evangelist Catholic High School – Yasmin Lingard; Georgia Coleman

Sophie Weller

Ms Sophie Phillips – representing the Hon Fiona Phillips - MP

Ms Veronica Burt-Leonard

Others Present:

Ms Janet Atkins – Nowra Youth Centre (remotely)

Mr Michael Paine - Manager - Community Connections

Ms Carly McWalters – Team Leader – Community Capacity Building

Ms Jessica Richardson – Community Capacity Builder

Ms Kirsty Vezinias – Community Capacity – Student Placement

The chairperson gave an Acknowledgement of Country.

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Mayor Findley, Clr Norris, Clr Gray and Clr Christen.

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Minutes of the Youth Advisory Committee held on Wednesday 1 September 2021 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declarations of Interest

Janet Atkins – Nowra Youth Centre – YA22.5 – Nowra Youth Centre Bus – Request for Financial Support for Running Costs - significant pecuniary interest – she works for the Nowra Youth Centre – is not a voting member of the Youth Advisory Committee - will remain in the meeting (remotely) but will not take part in the discussion or vote.

Presentations

YA22.1 City Lifestyles Presentation - Overview of the Youth Advisory Committee

HPERM Ref: D22/101801

Jessica Richardson – Community Capacity Builder - made a presentation to the Committee, covering the following items:

· Overview of the Committee

· Terms of Reference

· Strategic Plan

· Relevant Policies and Procedures

YA22.2 Presentation - Governance - Brief Induction

HPERM Ref: D22/101797

Brooke Aldous -Senior Governance Officer – made a presentation to the Committee, covering the following items:

· Code of Conduct

· Code of Meeting Practice

· Delegations

· Declaration of Interests

YA22.3 Open Round Table Discussion - Mental Health and Wellbeing in Young People in the Shoalhaven

HPERM Ref: D22/91395

We would like to take the opportunity to check in with members to see how everyone is arriving today.

Prompt questions:

1.

Chart

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What emotion on this colour wheel do you most relate to right now?

2. What actions do you take to feel good about your mental health and wellbeing?

3. How do you check in with you friends if you are worried about their mental health and wellbeing?

4. What are the top three things that you hear friends/ peers talking about that affect them?

5. Where would you or your friends seek support?

Each of the participants introduced themselves to the meeting and identified how they were feeling coming into today’s meeting.

Jessica Richardson - Community Capacity Builder – asked the members present to consult and identify the top three things that you hear friends/ peers talking about that affect them? The following issues were identified:

· Stress and anxiety in relation to:

o Assessment tasks;

o Other school issues;

o Personal life and the influence family life has on studies;

o Current situations around the world – the war in the Ukraine

o Even though the COVID-19 situation has improved, there is still post stress and mental health issues affecting the youth;

o The ever changing learning situations (online / in person) due to recent floods as well as the COVID-19 pandemic

· Drugs & alcohol use:

o Substance abuse and/or experimenting with drugs and alcohol due to stress and uncertainty, particularly amongst Senior students;

o Pressure to try it.

· Impact on University students:

o Leaving high school and having to adjust to online learning with Uni.

o Very isolating with no opportunity to socialise or make new friends or connections.

o Not having options to learn in the best way for you personally due to online learning.

· Expectations and pressure that are placed on young people in relation to schooling and socialising including expectations that young people place on themselves.

Reports

YA22.4 Come Together Through Community, 2022 NSW Youth Council Conference

HPERM Ref: D21/320280

Veronica Burt-Leonard and Bridget Raftery provided a brief update on their attendance at the NSW Youth Council Conference 2022. The key points noted were:

· The Conference was a lot of fun

· Very action based in relation to planning and how to get funding for events

· There was a strong focus on mental health in particular Mental Health First Aid

· Opportunity to speak to other likeminded people from across the State

· Highly recommend future attendance to members of the Youth Advisory Committee

Jessica Richardson – Community Capacity Builder - acknowledged and thanked Veronica & Bridget for their attendance at the Conference. Jessica Richardson also provided an overview on the Conference. The three themes for the Conference were:

1. Social Media for good

2. Mental Health

3. Sustainable Life

Jessica Richardson – Community Capacity Builder - advised that Bridget and Veronica would like the opportunity to have more conversations with the Youth Advisory Committee and their peers to share actionable ideas on how Council may be able to provide youth programs for youth development. Based on this feedback Council staff are exploring opportunities for youth-led action and will involve the YAC members in future project planning.

Examples of actionable ideas that the Youth Advisory Committee may seek to support include:

1. Mental Health First Aid Courses for young people in the Shoalhaven

2. Clothes swap and community wardrobe pop-ups to encourage sustainable purchasing

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Youth Advisory Committee

1. Receive this report regarding the Shoalhaven Youth Advisory Committee’s representation at the NSW Youth Council Conference 2022.

2. Support the allocations of funds ($604.91) to cover the cost of two Committee Members and a support Council staff member attending the NSW Youth Council Conference from the Youth Advisory Committee budget.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Youth Advisory Committee

1. Receive this report regarding the Shoalhaven Youth Advisory Committee’s representation at the NSW Youth Council Conference 2022.

CARRIED

YA22.5 Nowra Youth Centre Bus - Request for Financial Support for Running Costs	HPERM Ref: D21/355580
Janet Atkins – Nowra Youth Centre – declared a significant pecuniary interest – works for the Nowra Youth Centre – is not a voting member of the Youth Advisory Committee - will remain in the meeting (remotely) to answer any questions relating to the item.
Clr D’Ath inquired whether the Youth Bus is available for hire in other areas of the Shoalhaven, particularly in the Southern region. Jessica Richardson – Community Capacity Builder - confirmed that the bus is a resource that can be made available to organisations who collaborate with the Youth Advisory Committee and Council in the Southern region that needed transport support, subject to availability.
Recommendation That the Youth Advisory Committee 1. Receive this report on the request from the Nowra Youth Centre to reinstate the financial support to cover the running costs of their bus. 2. Propose $9,361 be allocated from Community Capacity Building Youth Projects and Community Capacity Building Projects, of unspent funds remaining due to the impact of COVID19 on project implementation in 2021/2022, to cover the running costs of the Nowra Youth Centre Bus for 2022. 3. Seek Council consideration to reinstate the Community Capacity Building Original Operating Budget to cover the increasing running costs of the Nowra Youth Centre Bus for 2023 onwards. 4. Propose Council enter into an MOU with the Nowra Youth Centre outlining roles and responsibilities of this funding partnership.
RECOMMENDATION (By consent) That the Youth Advisory Committee 1. Receive this report on the request from the Nowra Youth Centre to reinstate the financial support to cover the running costs of their bus. 2. Propose $9,361 of unspent funds remaining due to the impact of COVID19 on project implementation in 2021/2022 be allocated from Community Capacity Building Youth Projects and Community Capacity Building Projects, to cover the running costs of the Nowra Youth Centre Bus for 2022. 3. Seek Council consideration to reinstate the Community Capacity Building Original Operating Budget to cover the increasing running costs of the Nowra Youth Centre Bus for 2023 onwards. 4. Propose Council enter into an MOU with the Nowra Youth Centre outlining roles and responsibilities of this funding partnership.

YA22.6 Youth Advisory Committee Terms of Reference Review

HPERM Ref: D22/90044

Jessica Richardson – Community Capacity Builder - summarised the main proposed changes to the Terms of Reference (see attachment to Agenda):

Jessica Richardson - Community Capacity Builder - also summarised changes to the membership

· The following community members have requested to be removed from the YAC or did not respond to communications requesting they confirm their membership - Pallas Retimana, Hannah Schofield, Sienna Miller, Cassandra O’Carroll, Hannah Johns and Khy Antoniazzo.

· Veronica Burt-Leonard is a continuing community member.

Recommendation

That the Youth Advisory Committee accept the proposed amendments to the Youth Advisory Committee Terms of Reference and submit to Council for adoption.

RECOMMENDATION (By consent)

That:

1. The Youth Advisory Committee accept the proposed amendments to the Youth Advisory Committee Terms of Reference and submit to Council for adoption.

2. Community Connections to extend invitations to the following organisations to encourage a youth representative to attend upcoming YAC meetings:

a. Youth representatives from the community and social service sector, including but not limited to Headspace Youth Reference Group, Aboriginal Land Council’s Youth Advisory Groups, Disability Service Providers, Care South, Nowra Youth Centre, Mission Australia Ulladulla Youth Centre, Firefly Bay and Basin, Defence Force Cadets, Young Parents Groups.

b. Tertiary Education Representatives: University of Wollongong – Shoalhaven Campus, TAFE NSW Nowra and Ulladulla Campus’s, Country Universities Centre Southern Shoalhaven

3. Council conduct an EOI process to fill the remaining 5 community member positions:

a. A maximum of 6 young people aged between 12 and 25 years from the community with an interest in youth issues in the Shoalhaven, with representation from North Central and South of the Shoalhaven LGA.

YA22.7 Action Table Update - March 2022

HPERM Ref: D22/93993

Discussion took place around Youth Week 2022.

Jessica Richardson – Community Capacity Builder – circulated information and a calendar for Youth Week 2022 and asked any members of the Youth Advisory Committee to nominate as volunteers at the events. This information is attached to these Minutes.

Action – Jessica Richardson to reach out to YAC members to seek volunteers for these events and share promotional material.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Youth Advisory Committee:

1. Accept and receive the Update on Actions report for information.

2. Acknowledge the following actions as completed and be removed from the action table

a. YA21.6 - Item 3 - Form a Working Group to discuss topics arising from the planning day and make recommendations to the next Youth Advisory Committee meeting

b. YA21.7 - Planning Day - Activities for Young People - Working Group Formation

c. YA21.8 - Planning Day - Mental Health and Sexual Health - Working Group Formation

d. YA21.18 - Youth Week 2022 - Initiatives & Activities - Employment Expo - Unions Shoalhaven - Planning Group - Small Grants Program.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Youth Advisory Committee:

1. Accept and receive the Update on Actions report for information.

2. Acknowledge the following actions as completed and be removed from the action table

a. YA21.6 - Item 3 - Form a Working Group to discuss topics arising from the planning day and make recommendations to the next Youth Advisory Committee meeting

b. YA21.7 - Planning Day - Activities for Young People - Working Group Formation

c. YA21.8 - Planning Day - Mental Health and Sexual Health - Working Group Formation

d. YA21.18 - Youth Week 2022 - Initiatives & Activities - Employment Expo - Unions Shoalhaven - Planning Group - Small Grants Program

CARRIED

GENERAL BUSINESS

YA22.8 Nomination of Chair for Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for 18 May 2022.

No nominations were received for Chairperson for this meeting. Jessica Richardson – Community Capacity Builder – will send a request to YAC members for nomination of Chairperson prior to the meeting on 18 May 2022.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That Community Connections seek nominations for Chairperson for the next meeting, to be held on 18 May 2022.

CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 11:47am.

Bridget Raftery

CHAIRPERSON

Youth Advisory Committee – Wednesday 18 May 2022

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YA22.12 Action Table Update - May 2022

HPERM Ref: D22/178648

Department: Community Connections

Approver: Jane Lewis, Director - City Lifestyles

Attachments: 1. Attachment 1 - Updated Action Table Report - Youth Advisory Committee - 2 May 2022 ⇩

Reason for Report

To provide the Youth Advisory Committee with a progress report on outstanding actions.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Youth Advisory Committee:

1. Accept and receive the Update on Actions report for information.

2. Acknowledge the following actions as completed and be removed from the action table:

a. YA21.6 – Planning Day – Climate Change & Environment – Sustainability Report request – Bushfire Initiatives Presentation request – Working Group Formation

b. YA22.8 – Nomination of Chair for Next Meeting

c. YA22.6 – Youth Advisory Committee Terms of Reference – Adoption – Organisation representative invitation – Community vacancies – Expression of Interest

d. YA22.5 - Nowra Youth Centre Bus - Running Costs - Funds voted - Consider further funding 2023 - Memorandum of Understanding

Options

1. Adopt the recommendation as written.

Implications: The Youth Advisory Committee is updated on progress of actions and recommendations made at previous meetings.

2. Request more information.

Implications: Members of the Youth Advisory Committee request further information.

Background

This report is to update the Youth Advisory Committee on outstanding actions from previous meetings.

Subject to the Committee concurring that satisfactory progress has been made to complete the items on the May 2022 Action Table Report, the Committee is requested to adopt the Recommendation to note completion of:

a) YA21.6 – Planning Day – Climate Change & Environment – Sustainability Report request – Bushfire Initiatives Presentation request – Working Group Formation

b) YA22.8 – Nomination of Chair for Next Meeting

c) YA22.6 – Youth Advisory Committee Terms of Reference – Adoption – Organisation representative invitation – Community vacancies – Expression of Interest

d) YA22.5 - Nowra Youth Centre Bus - Running Costs - Funds voted - Consider further funding 2023 - Memorandum of Understanding

Attachment 1 provides information regarding the status of actions and resolutions made at previous meetings, including items which are still in works. Should YAC members require further information on the status of the actions in the table attached Council staff will provide as requested.

Community Engagement

It is important that the members of the Youth Advisory Committee are kept informed on progress towards the completion of actions and projects. This report provides a structured approach to facilitate this information exchange.