Maroondah City Council
Youth Plan
2012 – 2016
Contributing artists
Maroondah City Council would like to thank the following young people who contributed their artwork
to the Youth Plan:
Front cover:
Page 16:
Dat Tran
Theana Nagendran
Executive Summary:
Page 18:
Ellena Cronin-Barreira
Dat Tran
Theana Nagendran
Kate Hughes
Introduction:
Page 19:
Frances Rowlands
Theana Nagendran
Dat Tran
Ally Taylor
Elise McKeown
Page 8:
Page 20:
Benjamin Metha
Dat Tran
Brendan Kauler
Page 9:
Page 21:
Dat Tran
Gerard Atilemile
Theana Nagendran
Page 10:
Page 23:
Theana Nagendran
Sarah Ross
Page 11:
Page 24:
Dat Tran
Ellena Cronin-Barreira
Page 12:
Page 28:
Dean Fraser
Dat Tran
Briere Loughnane
Page 13:
Our Vision pages
Brendan Kauler
Mel Jeffery
Page 14:
Action Plan tables
Theana Nagendran
Stephanie Lamb (2010 Maroondah Photo Competition)
Ellena Cronin-Barreira
Page 15:
Theana Nagendran
2
Contents
Foreword ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 5
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Aim .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 6
A Whole-of-Council Approach ...................................................................................................... 7
Developing the Youth Plan .......................................................................................................... 8
The Youth Plan in Context .............................................................................................................. 9
City of Maroondah ....................................................................................................................... 9
Maroondah City Council............................................................................................................. 10
Maroondah City Council Youth Services .................................................................................... 11
Policy Framework ...................................................................................................................... 12
The Evidence Base ....................................................................................................................... 16
Young People in Maroondah ..................................................................................................... 16
Maroondah Youth Consultation Results ..................................................................................... 19
Local Service Gaps and Issues.................................................................................................. 21
Youth Services Review .............................................................................................................. 22
Looking forward… ......................................................................................................................... 25
Our Vision .................................................................................................................................. 25
Our Mission ............................................................................................................................... 25
Our Actions ................................................................................................................................ 25
The Action Plan ............................................................................................................................. 26
Glossary for the Action Plan: ..................................................................................................... 26
1.
Maroondah’s young people are valued and proud .................................................................. 27
2.
Maroondah’s young people feel safe and secure ................................................................... 33
3.
Maroondah’s young people are connected ............................................................................. 39
4.
Maroondah’s young people have healthy minds and bodies .................................................. 47
5.
Maroondah’s young people are empowered and have choice ................................................ 52
Review and Renewal..................................................................................................................... 56
Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... 57
References.................................................................................................................................... 58
3
Foreword
As a young person who was directly involved in its development, I am delighted to introduce the
Maroondah City Council Youth Plan 2012 – 2016.
I was personally involved in the consultation for the Youth Plan through Council’s Peer Engagement
Program in 2011.
In partnership with Maroondah City Council Youth Services, a dedicated team of seven Maroondah
Young Leaders consulted with over 700 young people from all walks of life.
We worked hard as a team to achieve our goal and had tremendous fun along the way.
We gathered the views and ideas of local young people, adults, youth workers and teachers, which
allowed us to get a broad idea of the issues facing young people. We used different methods
including surveys, focus groups and video interviews.
After a massive effort in collecting the views of young people, we produced a report and a short film
that captured the key information and shared this with decision makers and the community.
The Youth Plan was developed using the findings of this consultation and its Action Plan reflects
these results, showing that the issues and suggestions identified by young people have been heard
and will be acted on by Council.
The Youth Plan outlines what Council aims to do to improve the lives of the 20,000 young people
living in Maroondah.
I am pleased and delighted that the Maroondah City Council Youth Plan has been developed, as we
can see our hard work put into effect for the benefit of all young people in Maroondah.
Luke Thomas
4
Executive Summary
Maroondah City Council (Council) is committed to ensuring that young people are recognized and
heard as equal citizens in the Maroondah community, and to supporting Maroondah’s young people
to develop and thrive.
The Maroondah City Council Youth Plan 2012 – 2016 (“Youth Plan”) is a Council-wide document that
sits within a wider policy framework at the local, state and federal levels.
The Youth Plan aims to guide and focus Council’s work with and for young people in Maroondah
aged 12-25 years, to ensure that Council is actively engaged with Maroondah’s young people,
responsive to their needs, and delivers best practice services.
It is grounded in evidence provided by Maroondah’s young people and the broader community to
ensure that Council’s service planning is informed by a full understanding of the current needs and
issues affecting young people in Maroondah.
The evidence base includes a demographic and wellbeing profile of young people in Maroondah, the
results of an extensive consultation with Maroondah’s young people and youth stakeholders, an
analysis of the gaps and current issues in the Maroondah youth services sector, and a review of
Council’s Youth Services.
Based on the input from young people, Council has developed a Vision that captures our hopes for
Maroondah’s young people into the future.
Our Vision:
1. Maroondah’s young people are valued and proud
2. Maroondah’s young people feel safe and secure
3. Maroondah’s young people are connected
4. Maroondah’s young people have healthy minds and bodies
5. Maroondah’s young people are empowered and have choice
Our Mission:
To empower and support Maroondah’s young people to reach their full potential
To help make this vision a reality, Council has committed to a simple Mission for its work with and for
Maroondah’s young people. Council will achieve this Mission through service delivery, facilitation
and advocacy.
Council has committed to a comprehensive set of objectives and actions to help achieve each
component of the Vision for Maroondah’s young people. These are outlined in the four year Action
Plan, which will be reviewed annually.
The Youth Plan will be evaluated in its final year to assess its progress and its impact on the
Maroondah youth community, and to inform the development of the next Youth Plan.
5
Introduction
Maroondah City Council (Council) is committed to ensuring that young people are recognized and
heard as equal citizens in the Maroondah community, and to supporting Maroondah’s young people
to develop and thrive.
The Maroondah City Council Youth Plan 2012-2016 (“Youth Plan”) provides strategic direction to
guide and focus Council’s work with and for young people aged 12-25 who live, work, study or
recreate in the City of Maroondah.
It aims to maximise Council's ability to address the needs of Maroondah's young people by bringing
together the collective input, knowledge, effort and resources of all Council service areas.
Crucially, the Youth Plan is grounded in evidence provided by Maroondah’s young people and the
broader community to ensure that Council’s service planning and delivery is informed by a full
understanding of the current needs and issues affecting young people in Maroondah, with a focus on
those reported by young people themselves.
Aim
The Youth Plan aims to guide and focus Council’s work with and for young people aged 12-25 years
in Maroondah, to ensure that Council is actively engaged with young people, responsive to their
needs, and delivers best practice services.
Scope
The Youth Plan is a Council-wide document that provides Council with clear strategic direction for its
work with and for young people over the next four years.
It includes an Action Plan that will be reviewed annually to track progress and support Council to
continue responding to arising needs.
Actions within the Youth Plan are the responsibility of a range of Council service areas. They aim to
provide the most effective use of Council resources in meeting the needs of Maroondah’s young
people.
Council will also actively work with external stakeholders to support the implementation of the Youth
Plan and help achieve its objectives.
6
A Whole-of-Council Approach
The work of every service area in Council impacts in some way on Maroondah’s young people. For
example, the provision of public health services, the management of sporting and recreation facilities,
and the planning and maintenance of public infrastructure all impact on our young people.
All areas of Council therefore have a role to play in supporting Maroondah’s young people, and the
Youth Plan represents Council’s commitment to a whole-of-Council approach but also acknowledges
that this responsibility varies across each service area.
The role of Council in serving Maroondah’s young people falls into three key areas:

Delivery

Facilitation

Advocacy
Council’s responsibility to support young people can range from delivering youth programs and
individual support, to facilitating the effective co-ordination of services to young people in the
municipality, to advocating for and with young people about issues that affect them.
Council’s role is listed against each action in the Action Plan to provide clarity on what role Council is
taking for each particular action.
7
Developing the Youth Plan
The development of the Youth Plan was informed by an extensive evidence base.
Key processes undertaken by Council to develop this evidence base included:
-
The Maroondah Youth Consultation (2011), designed and implemented in partnership with
young people through Council’s Peer Engagement Program. The consultation obtained input
from young people aged 12-25, youth service providers and community members on the most
important issues for Maroondah’s young people, the good things about Maroondah for young
people, and suggestions about how things could be improved for young people in Maroondah.
Over 800 people participated in the consultation, including over 700 young people aged 12-25
who live, work, study or ‘hang out’ in Maroondah
-
The Maroondah Youth Profile (2012), a demographic and wellbeing profile of young people in
Maroondah
-
Identification and analysis of gaps and issues with youth service provision in Maroondah
-
A review of Council’s Youth Services, including feedback from youth service providers and
benchmarking with other Local Government Youth Services
A summary of the results of these processes is outlined in ‘The Evidence Base’ section later in this
document.
A process of internal consultation across Council also shaped the Youth Plan, including:
-
A workshop with Councillors to inform Council’s Vision for young people
-
Internal consultation workshops across Council to identify how the work of each service area
can support young people. Over 50 Council officers attended the workshops, representing all
Council departments
-
A series of workshops by the Youth Services team to inform Council’s Vision for young
people, and to examine and process the evidence to develop evidence-based actions for
Youth Services
The draft Youth Plan was circulated both internally and externally for comment and stakeholder
feedback. This included a four week period of public exhibition to invite input from the community
and external stakeholders, including circulation online and through youth networks, and targeted
feedback sessions with young people to encourage their input.
8
The Youth Plan in Context
City of Maroondah
The City of Maroondah is located in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, 22 kilometres east of
the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD). It covers an area of 61.4 square kilometres and is a
substantially developed residential municipality.
The City of Maroondah includes the suburbs of Bayswater North, Croydon, Croydon Hills, Croydon
North, Croydon South, Heathmont, Kilsyth South, Ringwood, Ringwood East, Ringwood North,
Vermont (part), Warranwood and Wonga Park (part).
Maroondah is home to two major retail centres, at Croydon and Ringwood. Ringwood is one of seven
Central Activities Areas in Victoria.
As at June 30, 2011, the estimated resident population of Maroondah was 107,309 (Australian
Bureau of Statistics, 2012). It is estimated that in 2012, young people will make up approximately
18% of Maroondah’s resident population (.id Consulting, 2011).
It is predicted that Maroondah’s resident population in 2031 will be 125,610, an increase of 23,151
persons (22.60%) from 2006, representing an average annual growth rate of 0.82% (.id Consulting,
2011). This is a slower rate than the average metropolitan and Victorian rates but is in keeping with
other established areas of Melbourne, and is mainly due to constraints on the supply of residential
properties (Maroondah City Council, 2011a).
Vision:
Maroondah will be a vibrant city. It will have an active community, a strong local economy
and a diverse cultural life in a prosperous and sustainable environment
Maroondah 2025 – A Community Planning Together
9
Maroondah City Council
Maroondah City Council provides a diverse range of services to the Maroondah community, including
strategic planning, public infrastructure management, environmental management, and direct
services to the city including targeted services to children, young people, older people and people
with disabilities.
Maroondah City Council is governed by nine Councillors who are the elected representatives of the
Maroondah community.
The organisation is led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and four Directors who form the
Corporate Management Team.
Organisational structure:
Mission:
Maroondah City Council will be an effective and dynamic leader, working in partnership with
the community, business and other spheres of government to foster quality, accessible and
sustainable lifestyles for the community
Maroondah City Council Plan 2009 / 2013
10
Maroondah City Council Youth Services
The majority of Council’s services for young people are provided by Council’s Youth Services team,
which sits within the Leisure, Culture & Youth Department. Youth Services is funded approximately
70% by Maroondah rate payers (via Council rates) and 30% by various State Government grants.
Youth Services provides a wide range of high quality services to young people aged 12-25 years who
live, work, study or recreate within the Maroondah municipality, and their families. As well as delivery
of services, Youth Services also has an important role in facilitation and advocacy.
As a generalist youth service, the scope of Youth Services’ work is broad. The service aims to be
responsive to the existing and arising needs of all local young people, while balancing this with the
importance of responding to the needs of Maroondah’s more vulnerable young people.
Youth Services works closely with other service providers to ensure this balance is met effectively,
including schools and specialist youth services, such as mental health, drug & alcohol, housing and
family services.
The range of direct services provided by Youth Services includes youth participation programs,
personal development programs, social and recreation programs, youth events, and information,
support and referral services to young people and their families.
Most programs and services for young people operate from EV's Youth Centre, which is a multipurpose youth facility in Croydon that is provided by Council and run by Youth Services. Other
programs and services are also offered in local schools and in the community.
Youth Services also provides a range of resources for young people to connect them to services and
opportunities in the local community, including the Maroondah Youth Services website and social
networking pages and the Maroondah Youth Card.
Youth Services plays a key role in the development and co-ordination of the Maroondah youth
service system, by actively identifying youth needs and issues, and advocating for or coordinating
effective responses on behalf of local young people.
Youth Services also supports the work of other youth service providers by facilitating networks,
coordinating or participating in sector projects, providing brokerage funds for programs through
School Focused Youth Service, and providing resources for workers.
11
Policy Framework
The Maroondah City Council Youth Plan sits within a wider policy framework at the local, state and
federal levels.
Local
At the local level, a clear policy framework exists within Maroondah City Council for the Youth Plan:

Maroondah 2025 – A Community Planning Together
Maroondah 2025 was developed in conjunction with the Maroondah community, and is a longterm strategic plan to ensure that Maroondah’s community has the best possible future. It
provides an underlying basis for the Council and community working together.
It sets out the following Vision for Maroondah:
Maroondah will be a vibrant city. It will have an active community, a strong local
economy and a diverse cultural life in a prosperous and sustainable environment.
The Maroondah community shaped Maroondah 2025 around six identified community themes

Community

Leisure & Culture

Urban Design & Development

Transport

Natural Environment

Economic Development & Employment
Youth was identified as a theme that sits across all community themes and is integrally involved
in all future strategies:
The community recognises that youth is our future and the future is for the youth of today
- Maroondah 2025 – A Community Planning Together

Council Plan 2009 / 2013
Maroondah City Council's Council Plan outlines what Council will do to achieve the Vision
described in Maroondah 2025, and sets out strategies for a four year period.
The six key themes from Maroondah 2025, together with an emerging focus on Infrastructure,
Governance and Corporate Support, provide the structure for the Council Plan.
Youth Services sits primarily within two of the eight Strategic Objectives set out in the Council
Plan –
o Community
Maroondah will have a network of agencies committed to the provision of a
comprehensive range of services and facilities that:

Are high quality, accessible, and cost effective

Meet community needs

Promote community wellbeing

Respect individual dignity.
12
o Leisure and Culture
Maroondah will ensure maximum opportunities for choice, involvement in and access to
quality, cultural and leisure experiences and encourage the community to adopt healthy
lifestyles.

Maroondah City Council Community Wellbeing Plan 2009 – 2013
The Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan 2009 – 2013 outlines Council’s commitment to
improving health and wellbeing for the community from 2009 to 2013.
The plan identifies six health and wellbeing priorities,
o Healthy Minds Healthy Choices
o Engaged Resilient Communities
o Accessible Safe Communities
o Lifestyle Opportunities and Choices
o Targeting Equity and Social Inclusion
o Healthy Sustainable Environments

Community Engagement Policy (2008)
Council’s Community Engagement Policy (2008) details Council’s commitment to community
engagement:
Maroondah City Council (the ‘Council’) recognises that residents and other members of
the Maroondah community have the right to have a say in decisions that affect them.
The engagement of the community is an essential component to responsible governance
and key to the development of a vibrant local democracy.
The Policy is “a formal expression of Council’s commitment to engaging the Maroondah
community in decision making processes through the use of appropriate, effective and inclusive
practices” and applies to all activities initiated by Council that will have appreciable impacts on
the Maroondah community.

Youth Engagement Strategy 2011 – 2012
The Youth Engagement Strategy 2011 – 2012 sits within the framework provided by the
Community Engagement Policy (2008), and focuses specifically on Council’s engagement with
young people aged 12 – 25 years.
It is Council’s commitment to engaging with young people, and outlines the actions Youth
Services will take to actively engage with young people aged 12 – 25 in Maroondah. On its
expiry, the Youth Engagement Strategy will be superseded by the Youth Plan, which
incorporates key actions outlined in the Strategy.
13
State
The Engage, Involve, Create Youth Statement (2012) sets out the Victorian Government’s vision for
Victoria’s young people:
Vision: That all young Victorians experience healthy, active and fulfilling lives and have the
opportunity to achieve their full potential, participate in the workforce and be involved in their
community.
It names three priorities:
1. Getting young people involved
Supporting the full and active participation and engagement of all young people to ensure:
> Social participation
> Community participation
> Economic participation
2. Services that meet the needs of young people
Creating better outcomes by allowing young people to access services that are:
> Young person focused
> Integrated
> Provided at the right time
3. Create new ideas and partnerships
Families and young people, government, business, community, and philanthropic organisations
all working in partnership to deliver a range of outcomes for young people
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) is the peak body and leading policy advocate on young
people's issues in Victoria. YACVic’s Code of Ethical Practice – A First Step for the Victorian Youth
Sector provides an agreed framework and set of values for professional practice within Victoria’s youth
sector.
Council’s Youth Services is committed to the Youth Work Principles outlined in the Code, which guide
Youth Services’ practice in all areas. The Principles also underpin the Youth Plan itself, forming the
value base that drives Council’s Vision and Mission in its work with and for young people.
Code of Ethical Practice – Youth Work Principles:
Youth Workers will work towards enabling and ensuring:
1. The empowerment of all young people
2. Young people’s participation
3. Social justice for young people
4. The safety of young people
5. Respect for young people’s human dignity and worth
6. Young people’s connectedness to important people in their lives, such as family and community
7. Positive health and wellbeing outcomes for young people
8. The positive transitions and healthy development of young people
Source: YACVic’s ‘Code of Ethical Practice – A First Step for the Victorian Youth Sector’ (May 2008 revision)
14
Federal
The National Strategy for Young Australians (2010) sets out the Australian Government’s vision for
young people:
The Australian Government’s vision is for all young people to grow up safe, healthy, happy and
resilient and to have the opportunities and skills they need to learn, work, engage in community
life and influence decisions that affect them.
The Strategy is intended to guide Government policy making in regards to young people, “to ensure
that young people’s needs and perspectives are taken into account in all government business”.
In order to achieve the Australian Government’s vision, the Strategy focuses on eight priorities:
1. Improving the health and wellbeing of all young people
2. Equipping young Australians to shape their own futures through education
3. Supporting young Australians within their families
4. Empowering young Australians to take part and be active in their communities
5. Equipping young Australians with the skills and personal networks they need to gain, and be
successful in, employment
6. Enabling young Australians to participate confidently and safely online
7. Strengthening early intervention with young Australians to help prevent any problems getting
worse and to help young people get their lives back on track
8. Establishing clear cut legal consequences for behaviours that endanger the safety of others
15
The Evidence Base
Young People in Maroondah
The Maroondah Youth Profile (2012) is a comprehensive demographic and wellbeing profile of young
people in Maroondah that was produced to inform the development of the Youth Plan. It provides an
assessment of the wellbeing of young people aged 12-25 years in Maroondah. The full profile is
available online at www.maroondahyouthservices.com
Key information from the profile is summarised below as a guide to the key areas of interest or concern
for community planning. References are provided in the Maroondah Youth Profile (2012).
Youth Population

It is estimated that in 2012, close to 20,000 young people aged 12-25 years live in Maroondah,
representing 18% of the population.

The proportion of young people in Maroondah will decline as the population grows, however the
number of young people will increase.

By 2031, it is estimated that close to 21,500 young people aged 12-25 will live in Maroondah,
representing 17% of the population.
Source: City of Maroondah Population Forecasts (.id Consulting, 2011)

87% of young people in Maroondah aged 15-24 years are born in Australia. This is higher than
the percentage in Metropolitan Melbourne (72%).

Maroondah has one of the highest proportions of humanitarian youth arrivals in Victoria, with 4%
of all humanitarian youth arrivals living in Victoria, who arrived in Australia in 2010-11.

In Maroondah, there are over 200 young people aged between 15 and 24 with a severe or
profound disability, or approximately 1.5% of that age group.

In 2006, 78% of the 8,358 dependent children aged 13-24 years in Maroondah lived with two
parents. 22% lived with one parent, a similar proportion to Metropolitan Melbourne (21%).

Young mothers under age 25 made up just 10% of all births in Maroondah in 2009.
16
Indicators of Wellbeing
Indicators of the wellbeing of young people in Maroondah used in the youth profile included measures
that they are safe and secure, that they are engaged, learning and achieving, and that they are happy
and healthy.
Safe and secure

In 2010-11, there were 591 incidents of family violence reported to police in Maroondah,
representing a rate of 557.4 per 100,000 population, which is higher than the Eastern
Metropolitan Region (EMR) rate of 476.8 per 100,000 population. Children were present at 40%
of these incidents.

Data reported by age for 2007-08 showed that 24% of victims of reported family violence
incidents in Maroondah were aged 24 or under, with 18% aged 18-24 years. 25% of offenders
were aged 24 or younger.

The rate of child protection substantiations in adolescents aged 10-17 years in Maroondah
increased over the five years from 2005-06 (4.1 per 1000) to 2009-10 (5.3 per 1000). The
Maroondah rate in 2009-10 was higher than the EMR rate (3.1 per 1000).

The number of adolescents aged 10-17 years reported by police as victims of crime has been
decreasing over the past 5 years, from 223 reported in 2005-06 to 170 reported in 2009-10.

The rate for young crime victims in Maroondah in 2009-10 was 16.0 per 1000, compared to the
EMR rate of 10.7 per 1000 and the Metropolitan Melbourne rate of 16.6 per 1000.
Engaged, learning, achieving

The most up-to-date available figures for unemployment rates by age for Maroondah are from
the 2006 Census, at which time the youth unemployment rate in Maroondah was 8.2%
compared to the overall unemployment rate of 3.9%.

More recent population-wide statistics show that the unemployment rate in Maroondah in
December 2011 was 3.8%, down from 4.6% in December 2010.

To give an indication of how this relates to current youth unemployment, the below graph shows
youth and overall population (15 years+) unemployment rates from the last three Census dates.
It shows that youth unemployment has followed a similar trend to population unemployment
over the previous decade but has been consistently higher.
Source: ABS Census 2006 Community Profile Series (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008)
17

In 2006, a significant proportion (28.6%) of young people aged 15-19 in Maroondah were
working full time – on the other hand, people in the age group who are working full time may be
missing out on opportunities for further education.

In 2006, 13% of Maroondah’s school leavers aged 15-19 years were disengaged (i.e. not
participating full time in either education or employment) compared to 9.5% in the EMR.

Percentages of Year 9 students in Maroondah achieving national benchmarks in literacy and
numeracy in 2010 were similar to percentages across the EMR.
Happy and healthy

17.5% of adolescents aged 12-17 years in Maroondah reported eating the minimum daily serves
of both fruit and vegetables compared to 20.4% in the EMR.

In the EMR, the proportion of adolescents who reported doing the recommended hour per day
of exercise in 2009 was 12.3%.

In 2009, almost half of all 12-14 year olds and three quarters of 15-17 year olds surveyed in
Maroondah reported that they had ever drunk alcohol – these results were similar to those for
the EMR and Victorian populations. 58.3% of the Maroondah 15-17 year-olds surveyed
reported that they had drunk alcohol in the 30 days prior to the survey, compared to 50.6% in
the EMR.

In 2009, young people in Maroondah reported having ever smoked cigarettes in roughly the
same proportion as the average for Victoria. 25.5% of the Maroondah 15-17 year-olds surveyed
reported smoking in the 30 days prior to the survey, compared to 18.4% for the EMR and 17.7%
for Victoria.

42.7% of adolescents surveyed in Maroondah in 2009 reported they had recently experienced
bullying. This was not significantly different to the Victorian average (44.6%).

The percentage of Maroondah adolescents who felt they can access mental health services
when needed in 2009 was 44.2%, which was lower than the EMR (64.4%) and significantly
lower than Victoria (70.4%).
Key issues highlighted by this data were factored into the development of the Youth Plan. Also, as part
of the evaluation of the Youth Plan these indicators of wellbeing will be compared pre- and post-Youth
Plan as a measure of impact.
18
Maroondah Youth Consultation Results
In 2011, Maroondah City Council Youth Services worked in partnership with young people through
Council’s Peer Engagement Program to design and deliver the largest youth consultation Maroondah
City Council has ever undertaken.
Over 800 people took part in the consultation, including over 700 young people aged 12 – 25 who
live, work, study or ‘hang out’ in the City of Maroondah.
A range of consultation methods were used to ensure the consultation was inclusive and far
reaching, including surveys (online, hard copy and video interviews) and focus groups. The
consultation was heavily promoted through a variety of means.
Young people, youth service providers and community members were all consulted. They were
asked to identify:
-
The most important issues for young people
-
The good things about Maroondah for young people
-
Suggestions about how things could be improved for young people in Maroondah
The following graph shows the results for the ‘most important issue’ for Maroondah’s young people,
as identified by young people.
Most important issues for Maroondah’s young people in 2011
19
The results from youth service providers and community members for the ‘most important issue’ were
slightly different, though there were many similarities. The top 5 results from each group are outlined
in the following table.
Youth Service Providers
Community Members
1. Peer Relationships
1. Safety
2. Community Connectedness & Inclusion
2. Recreation & Leisure
3. Family
3. Public Facilities & Infrastructure
4. Emotional Wellbeing
4. Education
5. Education
5. Community Connectedness & Inclusion
Over 90% of the young people surveyed identified one or more things that they liked about
Maroondah. The below graph illustrates the frequency with which each positive aspect of
Maroondah was mentioned.
What young people liked about Maroondah in 2011
The full results of the consultation are outlined in the Maroondah Youth Consultation Report (2011).
The report is available online at www.maroondahyouthservices.com along with the short film ‘700
Voices’ which accompanies the report. The report covers who was consulted, the consultation and
data analysis methods, and detailed results from young people, youth service providers and
community members.
The results of the Maroondah Youth Consultation have heavily informed the development of the
Youth Plan, from Council’s Vision and Mission for young people to the specific actions that aim to
address the issues identified by young people. These results are the most critical component of the
Youth Plan’s evidence base, as they came directly from Maroondah’s young people.
20
Local Service Gaps and Issues
To identify gaps in existing services and issues with service provision to young people in Maroondah,
a review and analysis of current reports and data was undertaken. This included reviewing:
 The results from the Maroondah Youth Consultation (2011)
 School Focused Youth Service Needs Analysis Maroondah and Manningham 2010
 Youth Partnerships Demonstration Site Strategic Plan, 2011 – 2013, Knox, Maroondah and
Yarra Ranges
 Outer Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (OELLEN) Environmental Scan 2011
 Ringwood Activities Area Community Infrastructure Plan (2012)
The commonly reported gaps in services for young people in Maroondah were:
-
Mental health services, including early intervention mental health services, information about
mental illness, and youth counselling options
Alternative education options, such as flexible learning options both in traditional and nontraditional school settings
Homework support
Access to age-appropriate health services including drug & alcohol support services, sexual
health services, and mental health services
Outreach services for young people and families
A number of issues with existing services were also reported, including:
-
Lack of awareness of what is available
Need for more communication and partnerships between agencies, schools and government
Complex referral processes and waiting lists
Transport and access to services
This understanding of the gaps and current issues in the Maroondah youth services sector helped to
focus areas of Council’s advocacy and facilitation work within the Youth Plan, particularly for areas
outside of Council’s scope for service delivery.
21
Youth Services Review
Youth Services undertook service reviews in 2010 and in 2012 to evaluate the service and to identify
potential improvements.
2010 Service Review
The 2010 review included:








A service profile
Service mapping
Performance review
Budget review
Staffing review
Customer satisfaction
Environmental scan
Service analysis
The outcome of this review found the service had a high level of staff output and customer
satisfaction and highlighted the strong correlation between staffing levels and the ability of the service
to achieve desired outcomes.
It also identified some significant future influences on the service including the redevelopment of
Ringwood, and the growing importance of information technology as a medium for communication
with young people.
2012 Service Review
The 2012 review included three main components – a Best Value service review, feedback from
youth service providers, and a benchmarking exercise with other local government youth services.
1.
Best Value Review
A ‘Best Value’ service review tool was used to assess the quality of current service performance
against the following criteria:
1. Our people have the right skills and the capacity to deliver the service to a high standard
2. There is evidence that the service meets our customers’ needs and is responsive to our
community
3. Our processes are documented and well understood, and we have evidence the processes
achieve the outcomes intended
4. We have reliable performance data, and are able to use the data to inform us of improvement
opportunities
5. There is substantial evidence that the service/unit is financially sustainable for the next 5
years
The service review process included a review conducted by Youth Services team members and an
anonymous staff survey undertaken by all members of the Youth Services team.
Overall, the service performed well against the criteria, with 28 of the 32 measures within the criterion
being met or partially met. The 4 measures that were ‘not met’ related to reviewing and improving
processes, utilising consolidated evaluation data for continuous improvement, and redefining budget
allocations to enhance project accountability. It also highlighted a need for greater time and
resources to allow for best practice service provision and to grow and adapt to emerging needs.
22
2.
Feedback from Youth Service Providers
To obtain feedback from other youth service providers in Maroondah, attendees at a Maroondah
Youth Service Providers Network meeting were asked to complete a survey about Maroondah City
Council Youth Services.
Fourteen attendees completed the survey, and the key results were:

Youth service providers saw the role of local government in youth service provision in
Maroondah as including: sector co-ordination and leadership; providing support and
resources to young people and families; generalist youth services and programs; supporting
youth service providers and schools; network facilitation; providing funding; conducting youth
consultation and needs analysis; and advocacy for young people and the sector

Things Council’s Youth Services do well included: communication with the sector; networking
and network facilitation; sector development and collaboration work; consulting with young
people; advocating for young people; promotion; and programs and facilities for young people

Things Council’s Youth Services could do better included: working together more with other
service providers (e.g. joint projects/programs); promotion to services, schools and young
people; assessing and responding to youth needs; and increasing the amount of direct
service provision to young people

Gaps in local services that respondents thought Council should fill included: encouraging
greater service collaboration (not just networking); targeted youth programs; youth mental
health services (e.g. Headspace); youth spaces/facilities; free youth recreational
activities/programs; alternative educational services; collaboration with education providers to
respond to youth issues; and promoting other youth service providers to young people

11 of the 14 respondents were satisfied or very/extremely satisfied with Council’s Youth
Services overall, with one respondent being ‘not sure’ and the remaining two not answering.
Youth service providers also shared their thoughts on the local youth sector through two questions in
the 2011 Maroondah Youth Consultation. As local government youth services play a key
coordinating role in their local youth sector, these results are relevant to a review of Youth Services
and inform the overall picture.
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the local youth service sector in Maroondah?
The most common responses were:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Collaboration and service co-ordination
Collaboration and service co-ordination
Breadth and calibre of existing programs and
services
School and community connections
Proactive and helpful sector
Young people’s awareness of services
Local schools and education
Resources, funding and cost of services
Accessibility of services
Gaps and limitations of services
Youth participation
Safety on public transport
Identifying and addressing needs
Poker machine advocacy
Music programs
Reactive service system
Political advocacy
23
2. How can the local youth service sector work together better to improve outcomes for
Maroondah’s young people?
A range of suggestions were provided, including greater collaboration and coordination
between organisations (including schools), better awareness of available services (for young
people and workers), and engaging young people in identifying needs and determining
responses.
Further information about youth service providers’ responses to these questions is outlined in the
Maroondah Youth Consultation Report (2011).
3.
Benchmarking
A benchmarking exercise was undertaken to compare Maroondah City Council Youth Services with
other local government youth services.
This exercise included all seven of the local government youth services in the Eastern Metropolitan
Region (EMR). The following areas were compared:

Demographics (number and percentage of young people)

Youth Services scope/range (client age range, services provided, service objectives, etc)

Youth Services staffing model (staffing structure, number of Equivalent Full Time (EFT) staff,
etc)

Investment in young people (total budget, external funding, staffing costs, etc)
It should be noted that six of the seven EMR local governments provide their youth services inhouse, and one outsources their youth services to another provider (YMCA).
Maroondah had the smallest youth population of the seven EMR local government youth services.
Therefore to obtain more directly comparable benchmarking data, it was important to compare
Maroondah against municipalities with a similar youth population size (approximately 20,000), that
were also similar in terms of being predominantly suburban areas. This allowed a ‘like-versus-like’
comparison. Four other municipalities similar to Maroondah were benchmarked – Wyndham,
Darebin, Frankston and Kingston.
In regards to financial investment in young people (i.e. budget), when compared with other EMR local
government youth services Maroondah’s budget was in the middle range. As Maroondah also had
the smallest youth population, it was therefore relatively well resourced per young person. However
when compared with local government youth services in similar municipalities (all of whom serve
approximately 20,000 young people) Maroondah fared less favourably, as it was one of only two
youth services out of five with a total budget under one million dollars.
In terms of the number of staff (EFT) allocated to youth services, Maroondah compared relatively well
against the other EMR youth services when factoring in the smaller youth population of Maroondah.
The comparison against local government youth services in similar municipalities was quite different
however – two services had similar EFT allocations, whereas the other two had significantly higher
EFT allocations.
The results of the service reviews (including the Best Value service review, feedback from youth
service providers and the benchmarking exercise) have informed the development of the Youth Plan
by highlighting areas of success and improvement for Youth Services and by providing an
understanding of how Youth Services in Maroondah compares to other local government areas. In
particular, the service review assisted Council to determine what Youth Services will do over the
coming years to maintain its high quality of service while also allowing the service to grow to
effectively meet the needs of Maroondah’s young people into the future.
24
Looking forward…
Council has used the evidence base to develop a plan that will guide Council’s work with and for
young people over the coming four years. Based on the input from young people, Council has
developed a Vision that captures our hopes for Maroondah’s young people into the future. To make
this vision a reality, Council has committed to a simple Mission for its work with and for Maroondah’s
young people. Council will achieve this Mission through service delivery, facilitation and advocacy.
Our Vision:
1. Maroondah’s young people are valued and proud
2. Maroondah’s young people feel safe and secure
3. Maroondah’s young people are connected
4. Maroondah’s young people have healthy minds and bodies
5. Maroondah’s young people are empowered and have choice
Our Mission:
 To empower and support Maroondah’s young people to reach their full potential
Our Actions:
Council has committed to a comprehensive set of objectives and actions to help achieve each
element of the vision for Maroondah’s young people.
These are outlined in the following Action Plan.
25
The Action Plan
Glossary for the Action Plan:
Term:
Meaning:
Action
Description of the action, with specific details
Responsibility
Which service area/s within Council are responsible for
implementing the action
The Council service area/s with the primary responsibility is
highlighted in bold
Council’s role
The role Council will take to implement this action:
 Deliver: Council will directly deliver the action
 Facilitate: Council will facilitate or co-ordinate the
implementation of the action
 Advocate: Council will advocate to other stakeholders to
achieve the action
Timeframe
Which financial year/s of the Action Plan this action will take place
Resources
What resources are required to achieve the action
26
Our Vision:
Maroondah’s young people are valued and proud
1.
Maroondah’s young people are valued by the community – the community sees the worth of every young person, and acts to ensure that no one
is left behind. Young people have a voice and a positive presence in the community, and their views are actively sought and respected. All
young people are included as equal citizens in the community, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, ability, interests or religious beliefs. They
are proud of themselves, their community and the City of Maroondah, and they know that they belong.
How Council will achieve this Vision:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Actively engage and consult with young people on matters that affect them to ensure their views are sought, heard and respected
Advocate for the needs of all young people
Build young people’s pride in themselves, their community and the City of Maroondah
Promote young people’s achievements and contributions to ensure that young people are valued by the Maroondah community
What Maroondah’s young people told us
Issues for young people:




“Adults respecting me because everyone likes to be respected and have their ideas taken in” (12 y/o male)
“Having good opportunities to participate and help the community because helping people and society gives us a reason to get up in the
morning and makes you feel good” (15 y/o female)
“Gay rights/equal rights for all” (16 y/o female)
“Having a voice within the community” (17 y/o male)
A suggestion for change:

“Raise awareness that people my age are just as important and are to be respected like anyone else in Maroondah” (12 y/o male)
What one young person likes about Maroondah:

“The support provided, for youth in particular, is at a really high level and helps young people to feel like they belong to the community”
(16 y/o female)
27
The Action Plan
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Objective 1.1
Actively engage and consult with young people on matters that affect them to ensure their views are sought, heard and
respected
1.1.1
Deliver the Peer Engagement Program every four years to
involve young people in the development and
implementation of Council’s Youth Plan consultation
Youth Services
Deliver
2014/15 –
2015/16
Within existing
resources
1.1.2
In partnership with young people through the Peer
Engagement Program, conduct a large-scale consultation
with young people every four years
Youth Services
Deliver
2015/16
Within existing
resources
1.1.3
Conduct the Maroondah / Manningham School Focused
Youth Service (SFYS) Needs Analysis every two years to
determine what schools and agencies believe are the main
issues affecting young people in their care
Youth Services
Deliver
2013/14 &
Dependent on
renewal of State
Government
funding to
continue the
SFYS program
beyond 2012/13
Actively engage and consult with young people using youthfriendly methods to inform the design and development of
policies, plans and projects across Maroondah, including:
Integrated Planning
1.1.4
-
Maroondah Vision 2030
-
Ringwood Activities Area redevelopment
-
Ringwood Library, Learning & Cultural Centre
-
Asset planning
-
Capital works program (Council buildings)
2015/16
Business &
Development
Engineering &
Infrastructure
Services
Facilities & Building
Services
Youth Services
Community Services
28
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Conduct a youth sustainability forum that promotes peer-topeer learning and connects schools across the region in
order to raise awareness and inspire sustainability action in
local schools
Integrated Planning
Deliver
2012/13
Within existing
resources
1.1.6
Develop and implement a communication plan between
Council and young people who use the skate & BMX parks
within Maroondah to identify and address issues at the parks
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
1.1.7
Include a youth representative when meeting with local
sporting clubs to discuss clubs’ needs and wishes for leisure
facilities and grounds
Leisure Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
1.1.8
Youth Services will assist other areas of Council to engage
and consult with young people using youth friendly methods,
in order to support young people’s input into key Council
policies, plans and projects
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Actively seek
new resources
1.1.9
Seek young people’s feedback on youth services delivered
by Council through ongoing service delivery and evaluation
processes
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
1.1.10
Maintain up-to-date demographic data on young people in
Maroondah to assist Council in service planning for young
people
Integrated Planning
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
1.1.5
Youth Services
29
Facilities & Building
Services
Action
Objective 1.2
Advocate for the needs of all young people
1.2.1
Genuinely consider and advocate for young people’s needs
and wants in the design and development of policies, plans
and projects across Maroondah, particularly:
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Youth Services
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Integrated Planning
-
Maroondah Vision 2030
Business &
Development
-
Ringwood Activities Area redevelopment, including
the town square
Community Services
-
Ringwood Library, Learning & Cultural Centre
-
Ringwood railway station and bus interchange
1.2.2
Advocate for marginalised and vulnerable young people in
Maroondah to support their needs, including culturally and
linguistically diverse (CALD) young people, young people
with disabilities, sexually and gender diverse young people,
and disadvantaged young people
Youth Services
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
1.2.3
Utilise the results of the Maroondah 2011 Youth Consultation
to advocate for the identified needs of young people
Youth Services
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
1.2.4
Work collaboratively with stakeholders in the Eastern
Metropolitan Region to co-ordinate services and advocate for
the needs of young people
Youth Services
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Identify opportunities for increased funding for pedestrian
and bicycle projects that reflect the overall community and
specific youth priorities
Engineering &
Infrastructure
Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
1.2.5
Integrated Planning
Integrated Planning
Operations
30
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Objective 1.3
Build young people’s pride in themselves, their community and the City of Maroondah
1.3.1
Deliver a range of activities and events that recognise and
celebrate young people during National Youth Week,
including a Youth Awards event that recognises the
achievements of local young people
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources, with
support from
annual National
Youth Week
Grant if
successful
1.3.2
Assist young people to develop pride in themselves and their
community by providing them with opportunities to contribute
to their community, via programs and volunteering with
Youth Services
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
1.3.3
Develop and deliver a youth-focused community
development project to foster and celebrate young people’s
pride in the City of Maroondah
Youth Services
Deliver
2012/13 –
2013/14
Actively seek
new resources
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Integrated Planning
Leisure Services
Communications &
Marketing
1.3.4
1.3.5
Improve the environmental sustainability of Council-run youth
programs and events
Youth Services
Deliver the Waste Education Program in Maroondah schools
Waste Management
31
Integrated Planning
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Objective 1.4
Promote young people’s achievements and contributions to ensure that young people are valued by the Maroondah
community
1.4.1
Promote the achievements and community participation of
young people connected to Council using a variety of media
(local papers, Council newsletter, Council websites, etc) to
promote a positive message about young people to the wider
community
Communications &
Marketing
Promote the Australia Day Awards to support nominations
for Young Citizen of the Year
Communications &
Marketing
1.4.2
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Deliver
2013/14 –
2015/16
Actively seek
new resources
Youth Services
Youth Services
1.4.3
Arts Development
Explore opportunities to mount a regional secondary school
student art exhibition based on the Top Art program
32
Our Vision:
Maroondah’s young people feel safe and secure
2.
Maroondah’s young people feel safe to live, study, work, recreate and travel in their community. They are supported to achieve and maintain
employment, financial and housing security and stability. Young people are aware of both their rights and their responsibilities as members of the
Maroondah community.
How Council will achieve this Vision:
1. Work to improve issues of community safety for young people, particularly relating to public transport
2. Support young people to be safe by providing them and their families with skills and resources to improve personal safety
3. Support young people to obtain training and employment opportunities, to assist them to maintain financial and housing security and stability
What Maroondah’s young people told us
Issues for young people:



“It's important to be able to feel safe and not worry about going out because you're afraid of getting hurt” (13 y/o female)
“High cost of living. As a uni student, attempting to study and work and maintain a healthy social life all at once is expensive and exhausting.
Petrol, food, even movie tickets and things are just becoming out of reach for regular youths.” (18 y/o female)
“Ability to get jobs that pay fairly and that understand that school is important” (17 y/o female)
A suggestion for change:

“I would change it by putting more lights up to make the area feel safer at night, I would also have more security guards around train stations
and other public areas during the night time (15 y/o male)
What one young person likes about Maroondah:

“I feel safe, even though the reasons I don't feel safe make it sound the opposite, because my friends are here, I love my school and even
when I visit other schools the people in the area are wonderful and I know places like EV's and stuff are always around for kids my age and it
helps to know there's somewhere to go when needed and I like that shops are close, bus stops are very public, and yeah, Maroondah is
great! Very proud to live in the area!” (16 y/o female)
33
The Action Plan
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Objective 2.1
Work to improve issues of community safety for young people, particularly relating to public transport
2.1.1
Develop and deliver initiatives that address amenity and
safety for young people in Maroondah, particularly at
Maroondah's train stations and on public transport
Integrated Planning
Advocate to State Government, Victoria Police and public
transport providers for increased policing and improved
safety measures at Maroondah’s train stations, particularly
Ringwood station
Integrated Planning
2.1.2
Resources
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Actively seek
new resources
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Youth Services
Business &
Development
Youth Services
2.1.3
Youth Services
Advocate for the needs of young people in the design and
development of the new Ringwood railway station and bus
interchange to improve issues of safety in the area
Integrated Planning
Business &
Development
2.1.4
Youth Services
Advocate for the design and provision of safe youth-friendly
spaces within the Ringwood Activities Area, including
outdoor spaces
Integrated Planning
Business &
Development
Open Space
2.1.5
Facilitate the Maroondah Safety Committee, the Ringwood
Partners in Safety Working Group and the Croydon Partners
in Safety Working Group to identify and address issues of
safety in Maroondah in partnership with the community,
including issues relating to young people
34
Integrated Planning
Youth Services
2.1.6
2.1.7
2.1.8
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Explore ways of improving communication systems (both
within Council and between Council and the community) to
identify areas where public drug & alcohol use occurs, in
order to improve Council's ability to address social and
environmental outcomes including perceptions of safety and
syringe waste
Integrated Planning
Facilitate
2013/14
Actively seek
new resources
Investigate involving schools in the Preventing Violence
Against Women in Our Community Project
Integrated Planning
Facilitate
2013/14
Within existing
resources
Review the Child Protection Protocol between Maroondah
City Council and the Department of Human Services
Children’s Services
Facilitate
2013/14
Within existing
resources
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Public Health
Local Laws
Operations
Youth Services
Youth Services
Risk Management
Public Health
2.1.9
Facilitate the Maroondah City Council Skate & BMX
Management Group to facilitate a cross-Council approach to
identifying and addressing safety issues at Maroondah’s
skate & BMX parks
Open Space
Operations
Youth Services
Leisure Services
Integrated Planning
35
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Objective 2.2
Support young people to be safe by providing them and their families with skills and resources to improve personal
safety
2.2.1
Provide targeted personal development programs in local
secondary schools through the School Ties program, on:
2.2.2
2.2.3
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Develop an initiative to educate young people about personal
safety
Youth Services
Deliver
2013/14
Actively seek
new resources
Participate in the Alcohol Flagship Project to increase
awareness about early and risky drinking by adolescents by
increasing parental/adult knowledge, skills and confidence in
communication on:
Integrated Planning
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
-
Emotional wellbeing and mental health
-
Personal safety
-
Peer & family relationships and conflict resolution
-
Alcohol and adolescent brain development
-
Secondary supply legislation
-
NHMRC alcohol guidelines
Integrated Planning
Objective 2.3
Support young people to obtain training and employment opportunities, to assist them to maintain financial and housing
security and stability
2.3.1
Support local young people aged 12-25 years to obtain
employment by providing individual assistance and referrals
to relevant services
36
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
2.3.2
Develop and implement a Council-wide Student Placement
Strategy to support a structured approach to student
placements across Council, with a commitment to a
minimum number of student placements per annum
Human Resources
Facilitate
2013/14
Within existing
resources
2.3.3
Utilise youth-friendly strategies when advertising and
promoting employment and volunteer opportunities at
Council
Human Resources
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Utilise youth-friendly strategies when representing Council at
local school, TAFE and employment fairs
Human Resources
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
2.3.5
Employ young people in Facilities & Building Services,
wherever possible
Facilities &
Building Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
2.3.6
Provide tertiary-level student placements through Youth
Services that develop students’ skills in working with and for
young people, and that increase their employability
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
2.3.7
Provide young people with volunteer opportunities and/or
traineeships though Aged & Disability Services that develop
their skills, increase their employability and encourage career
pathways into Community Services
Aged and Disability
Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Promote the ‘JN Stevens’ and ‘Partnership for the Future’
scholarships to young people to increase application
numbers
Finance &
Governance
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Develop a junior lifeguard program that trains young people
in lifeguard skills, encourages youth to volunteer at Council's
aquatic facilities and provides ongoing employment
opportunities for young people
Major Leisure
Facilities
Facilitate
2013/14
Within existing
resources
2.3.4
2.3.8
2.3.9
Youth Services
Youth Services
Human Resources
Youth Services
37
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Develop employment, learning and training opportunities for
young people in the Bayswater North Community Renewal
area
Integrated Planning
Facilitate
2012/13
Within existing
resources
2.3.11
Explore opportunities to support young people operating a
home-based business to expand into a commercial setting
Business &
Development
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
2.3.12
Work with Youth Services to promote the Small Business
Mentoring Service and other business initiatives to
encourage support of local small businesses operated by
young people
Business &
Development
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Utilise Maroondah Business Analysis Outcomes to explore
opportunities to link training, employment and business
priorities for the benefit of local businesses and young
employees
Business &
Development
Facilitate
2012/13
Within existing
resources
2.3.10
2.3.13
Business &
Development
Youth Services
38
Our Vision:
Maroondah’s young people are connected
3.
Maroondah’s young people are actively engaged and connected with the community and what it has to offer. They are well informed about the
services available to them, and are able to physically and financially access services easily and in a timely manner. Young people are supported
by positive connections with their peers, family, the community and the community services sector.
How Council will achieve this Vision:
1. Actively promote the range of services available to young people in Maroondah, to assist them to feel connected to the community and to
engage with what it has to offer
2. Support the development and strengthening of positive connections between young people and their peers, families and the community
3. Work with stakeholders to improve the coordination and accessibility of services to young people in Maroondah
4. Advocate for improved access to public transport and improved walking / cycling in Maroondah
5. Provide services and facilities that are accessible to all young people in Maroondah
What Maroondah’s young people told us
Issues for young people:






“Being with friends and family makes me happy and I think it’s an important part of being a young adult, having friends and family to lean on
when you’re going through hard times” (16 y/o female)
“Friends because without them I have no group to belong to” (16 y/o male)
“I am scared that I will lose all of my friends and get bullied at school” (14 y/o female)
“… places to go if you have a problem and need to talk to someone other than a family member or friend” (15 y/o male)
“Having youth services and organisations that are easy to access” (14 y/o female)
“I'm going to have to say public transport is the biggest issue at the moment. There are a lot of bus services in Maroondah but they're very
infrequent and it's harder to get around the area after dark or on weekends.” (16 y/o female)
Suggestions for change:


“Make services that are available more known to the community - there are a lot of services that people may not know exist that they would
use” (24 y/o female)
“Community programs of all ages to bring people of different ages and races together to build tolerance” (16 y/o female)
39
The Action Plan
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Objective 3.1
Actively promote the range of services available to young people in Maroondah, to assist them to feel connected to the
community and to engage with what it has to offer
3.1.1
Develop and distribute the Maroondah Youth Card with
emergency contact numbers for community services and
discounts for local businesses (redeveloped every two years)
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Communications &
Marketing
Business &
Development
3.1.2
Provide youth-friendly information on the range of services
and opportunities available to local young people via the
Maroondah Youth Services website
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.1.3
Redevelop the service directory on the Maroondah Youth
Services website to enhance Council’s ability to provide
information on the range of services and opportunities
available to local young people
Youth Services
Deliver
2013/14
Within existing
resources
3.1.4
Use social networking to promote the range of services and
opportunities available to young people in Maroondah, via
the Maroondah Youth Services Facebook profile
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.1.5
Establish a Council social media site that focuses on
engaging young parents.
Children’s Services
Deliver
2013/14
Within existing
resources
Promote the range of services and opportunities available to
young people in Maroondah through presentations at local
schools and at Council-run youth events and programs
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.1.6
Maternal & Child
Health
40
3.1.7
3.1.8
3.1.9
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Develop and distribute information on Council's Youth
Services programs and activities to local schools for use in
their newsletters and other information forums
Communications &
Marketing
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Further develop and promote appropriate Home and
Community Care (HACC) respite services to support young
people aged 12-25
Aged & Disability
Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Explore methods and opportunities to improve the
accessibility of information and services for young parents,
and to support their ongoing engagement with services
Maternal & Child
Health
Facilitate
2013/14 –
2015/16
Within existing
resources
Youth Services
Communications &
Marketing
Youth Services
Business &
Development
3.1.10
Expand Council’s promotional activities to young people to
include information about external youth services
Youth Services
Facilitate
2013/14 –
2015/16
Actively seek
new resources
3.1.11
Develop a new brand for Council's Youth Services
Youth Services
Facilitate
2013/14
Actively seek
new resources
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Actively seek
new resources
Communications &
Marketing
3.1.12
Develop mobile websites for the Council, Youth Services and
Major Leisure Facilities websites
Communications &
Marketing
Information
Technology
Youth Services
Major Leisure
Facilities
41
3.1.13
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Ensure that all relevant Council publications (printed and
online) are youth friendly in design and content
Communications &
Marketing
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Integrated Planning
Youth Services
3.1.14
Support Youth Services and other Council areas to meet the
evolving technology needs of young people
Information
Technology
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.1.15
Support the delivery of services to young people by Council
through the provision and maintenance of equipment and
infrastructure that keeps pace with the changing
technological needs of young people, including at Councilrun youth facilities
Information
Technology
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Objective 3.2
Support the development and strengthening of positive connections between young people and their peers, families and
the community
3.2.1
Deliver youth drop-in programs at EV’s Youth Centre that
provide opportunities for young people to connect with
support services and their peers, and to make new friends
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.2.2
Provide targeted personal development programs in local
secondary schools through the School Ties program – refer
to Action 2.2.1
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.2.3
In partnership with YMCA Manningham, facilitate the
provision of a pilot mentoring program for Croydon
Community School through Maroondah / Manningham
School Focused Youth Service
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012/13
Dependent on
renewal of State
Government
funding to
continue the
SFYS program
beyond 2012/13
42
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Explore opportunities for intergenerational programs
between young people and HACC Social Inclusion and
Wellbeing program participants to promote learning
opportunities, and to assist in developing positive
connections between generations
Aged and Disability
Services
Facilitate
2013/14 –
2015/16
Actively seek
new resources
3.2.5
Deliver the Leading Teams program with Bayswater Football
Club
Integrated Planning
Deliver
2012/13
Within existing
resources
Objective 3.3
Work with stakeholders to improve the coordination and accessibility of services to young people in Maroondah
3.3.1
Advocate for and support the establishment of a new Youth
Services Hub for the co-location of services for young people
within the Ringwood Activities Area
Youth Services
3.3.2
Participate as an active partner in the Youth Partnerships
initiative and follow on projects to improve the co-ordination
and accessibility of services to young people in the outer
east
3.3.3
3.2.4
Youth Services
Advocate
2013/14
Within existing
resources
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Continue membership on the Outer Eastern Local Learning
and Employment Network board to improve education,
training and employment outcomes for young people (10-19
year olds)
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.3.4
Facilitate the Maroondah Youth Service Providers Network
(MYSPN) and working groups to support networking,
information sharing and service co-ordination within the local
youth sector
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.3.5
Actively participate in and support the MYSPN Refugee
Action Group, to address the needs of newly arrived and
refugee young people in Maroondah by working in
partnership with stakeholders
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Integrated Planning
Integrated Planning
43
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
3.3.6
Facilitate the Maroondah Student Wellbeing Network
(through Maroondah / Manningham School Focused Youth
Service) to provide opportunities for peer support and
learning for wellbeing staff in Maroondah secondary schools
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012/13
Dependent on
renewal of State
Government
funding to
continue the
SFYS program
beyond 2012/13
3.3.7
Provide a range of resources and information for school and
agency workers on the Maroondah Youth Services website
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.3.8
Annually update and distribute the Maroondah / Manningham
School Focused Youth Service Community Directory of
services for young people, targeted to school and agency
workers
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012/13
Dependent on
renewal of State
Government
funding to
continue the
SFYS program
beyond 2012/13
3.3.9
Promote links between primary school age services and
youth services
Children’s Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Youth Services
Objective 3.4
Advocate for improved access to public transport and improved walking / cycling in Maroondah
3.4.1
Advocate through the Eastern Transport Coalition for
improved public transport that caters for the needs of young
people
Integrated Planning
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.4.2
Support young people's ability to walk and cycle safely within
Maroondah by identifying and addressing issues with key
connections for young people, including public transport to
schools, and public transport to services / shops
Integrated Planning
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
44
3.4.3
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Provide information to schools to enable them to nominate
locations identified by students where footpath or shared
pathways are required, and where there are pedestrian or
traffic safety issues that require Council’s consideration
Engineering &
Infrastructure
Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Youth Services
Integrated Planning
Objective 3.5
Provide quality services and facilities that are accessible to all young people in Maroondah
3.5.1
Manage and maintain EV’s Youth Centre as a dedicated
youth facility for young people to access programs, services
and resources in Maroondah
Youth Services
Encourage young people to use Council's major leisure
facilities by making them more financially accessible through
a variety of special offers endorsed and supported by Major
Leisure, including:
Major Leisure
Facilities
3.5.2
-
A 14 day free trial membership for young people
promoted on the Maroondah Youth Card
-
Special offers for young people such as no joining
fee on memberships and free trial classes, to be
promoted from time to time via the Youth Services
Facebook page and website
Facilities & Building
Services
Youth Services
3.5.4
Provide quality sporting facilities and grounds to junior clubs
at 50% of the full rates, to help them to be financially
accessible to young people
Leisure Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
3.5.5
Actively promote Council’s services to marginalised young
people to encourage and support their inclusion and ensure
that the services are truly accessible to all young people in
Maroondah
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
45
3.5.6
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Explore the concept of training that provides Council staff
(including front line customer service and leisure facilities
staff) with strategies to interact and engage positively with
young people
Customer Service
Advocate
2013/14
Actively seek
new resources
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Facilitate
2013/14
Actively seek
new resources
Human Resources
Youth Services
Major Leisure
Facilities
3.5.7
Display rainbow stickers on the entry door of every public
Council facility to communicate that Council is supportive of
all gender & sexually diverse people, including young people
(to be rolled out in conjunction with educational material for
Council staff)
Communications &
Marketing
Customer Service
Facilities & Building
Services
Youth Services
3.5.8
Maternal & Child
Health
Research and develop approaches to supporting young
fathers
Youth Services
46
Our Vision:
Maroondah’s young people have healthy minds and bodies
4.
Maroondah’s young people are healthy and active in both mind and body. The community supports them to maintain this by providing
appropriate services and accessible social, recreation and community engagement activities that promote health and wellbeing. Young people
are supported by the community and the community service sector to develop, maintain or recover their emotional and physical wellbeing.
How Council will achieve this Vision:
1. Provide services that support young people’s emotional wellbeing
2. Provide services and facilities that support young people to be physically healthy and active
3. Work with the community service sector to support young people to develop, maintain and recover their emotional and physical wellbeing in
times of need
4. Work with the Maroondah community to provide a range of accessible social, recreation and community engagement activities that support
young people’s health and wellbeing
What Maroondah’s young people told us
Issues for young people:



“Coping with issues. Because you have so much pressure from home, school and friends, sometimes it's just too much” (15 y/o female)
“Mental health. It's so hard to struggle alone and no-one talks about it or what supports are available, so you're left to cope alone” (19 y/o
female)
“Sport is one of the most important things to us because we like to keep fit and stay healthy. And we like being successful” (14 y/o male)
Suggestions for change:




“Be taught how to deal better with pressure other than just offer counselling” (15 y/o female)
“More services for younger people who suffer from a mental health problem and also programs that link them into the community without
feeling like they are stigmatized” (25 y/o female)
“Raise awareness and let people know what supports are available” (19 y/o female)
“We need an area where young people can hang out and do a range of activities such as sports (basketball etc), eat, drink, talk, roller skate,
skate board etc. where it’s safe and open to all! (no age limit) (19 y/o female)
47
The Action Plan
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Objective 4.1
Provide services that support young people’s emotional wellbeing
4.1.1
Deliver personal development programs that support young
people’s emotional wellbeing
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
4.1.2
Provide targeted personal development programs in local
secondary schools through the School Ties program – refer
to Action 2.2.1
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
4.1.3
Deliver the Victoria Rocks program to support young
people’s emotional wellbeing through music
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
4.1.4
Provide information, support and referral to local young
people aged 12-25 years and their families to support young
people’s emotional wellbeing
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
4.1.5
Provide youth-friendly information and resources to support
young people’s emotional wellbeing via the Maroondah
Youth Services website and Facebook profile
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
4.1.6
Investigate the feasibility of developing and delivering Mental
Health and Disabilities programs for young people aged 1225
Aged & Disability
Services
Facilitate
2014/15 –
2015/16
Actively seek
new resources
48
Youth Services
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Objective 4.2
Provide services and facilities that support young people to be physically healthy and active
4.2.1
Develop, provide and maintain high quality outdoor
recreation spaces, skate parks and parklands for the benefit
of young people, including the Croydon Y Space and the
Ringwood Skate Park (“Staleys”)
Open Space
Deliver activities that promote physical activity and wellbeing
for young people, including activities at the Croydon Y Space
Youth Services
Encourage young people to use Council's major leisure
facilities in order to improve their physical health and
wellbeing, through activities such as event days that
introduce young people to the facilities and what they have to
offer
Major Leisure
Facilities
4.2.4
Provide the use of any of Council's major leisure facilities at
no charge for youth programs and events run by or in
partnership with Council’s Youth Services
4.2.5
Explore partnerships that support swimming education for
newly arrived young people
4.2.2
4.2.3
Resources
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Actively seek
new resources
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Actively seek
new resources
Major Leisure
Facilities
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Major Leisure
Facilities
Facilitate
2014/15
Actively seek
new resources
Operations
Leisure Services
Youth Services
Youth Services
4.2.6
Promote sporting activities in schools and to the general
community to encourage young people to be physically
healthy and active
Leisure Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
4.2.7
Research young people's views and feelings about
immunisation and how uptake by young people could be
increased
Public Health
Facilitate
2012/13
Within existing
resources
Youth Services
49
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
4.2.8
Research young mothers and immunisation uptake for
themselves and their babies / children to assist Council to
cater services to their needs
Public Health
Facilitate
2013/14
Within existing
resources
Objective 4.3
Work with the community service sector to support young people to develop, maintain and recover their emotional and
physical wellbeing in times of need
4.3.1
Advocate for increased and improved mental health services
for young people in Maroondah
Youth Services
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Children’s Services
Aged & Disability
Services
Integrated Planning
4.3.2
Participate as an active member of the Headspace
consortium to ensure that the mental health needs of
Maroondah’s young people are met
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
4.3.3
Advocate for child and family services across the
municipality to reflect upon young parents when developing
and delivering programs and services
Children’s Services
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Objective 4.4
Work with the Maroondah community to provide a range of accessible social, recreation and community engagement
activities that support young people’s health and wellbeing
4.4.1
Provide the Community Grants Program to financially
support community organisations to develop and sustain a
wide range of quality recreation, culture, social and
community support programs that benefit young people
Leisure Services
Review the Community Grants Program to improve Council's
ability to assist community organisations in supporting young
people's wellbeing
Leisure Services
4.4.2
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Facilitate
2012/13
Within existing
resources
Youth Services
50
Youth Services
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
4.4.3
Provide the Maroondah / Manningham School Focused
Youth Service brokerage program to financially support new
partnerships between schools and agencies to deliver
programs that support young people in Maroondah
Youth Services
Deliver
2012/13
Dependent on
renewal of State
Government
funding to
continue the
SFYS program
beyond 2012/13
4.4.4
Support local schools by providing one-off programs or
sessions for young people on request that support their
health and wellbeing
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
51
Our Vision:
Maroondah’s young people are empowered and have choice
5.
Maroondah’s young people have the skills, confidence and resources to be active empowered citizens who can advocate for and address their
own needs. They are confident in themselves and their ability to contribute to the wider community. They are resourceful and resilient, and
equipped to successfully manage times of challenge and transition. They have a range of opportunities available to them within Maroondah to
suit their differing education, employment and recreation needs. These opportunities provide real choice to young people by being diverse,
accessible and affordable.
How Council will achieve this Vision:
1. Support young people to develop the skills and confidence to be active and empowered citizens
2. Support young people to manage times of challenge and transition
3. Work with stakeholders to ensure that young people have a range of opportunities that suit their differing education, employment and
recreation needs
What Maroondah’s young people told us
Issues for young people:




“Self confidence - If you are a person with self confidence you have more opportunities in life to do things and to not be scared and push
yourself back” (16 y/o female)
“Confidence as a teen. Feeling comfortable in my own shoes.” (16 y/o male)
“Study is stressful. Is the most important to me because I am in year 12 this year and I aimed high. However it was very hard to reach my
goals, my English is not good enough” (18 y/o female)
“Having up to date recreation activities for youths. Also a variety of options for people is important.” (15 y/o male)
A suggestion for change:



“Give young people more opportunities to help others via the community and make it fun and group based so that you can do it with your
mates” (15 y/o female)
“More support for students leaving school and struggling to find employment or further study opportunities” (22 y/o female)
“More recreational activities for kids where they can catch up” (13 y/o male)
52
The Action Plan
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Objective 5.1
Support young people to develop the skills and confidence to be active and empowered citizens
5.1.1
Deliver the annual Maroondah Young Leaders Program to
provide young people with the skills and confidence to
empower them to participate more confidently and effectively
in their school and local community.
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
5.1.2
Deliver the Community Action Project to provide Young
Leaders graduates with an opportunity to develop and deliver
a community project that meets the needs of young people in
Maroondah
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2015
Within existing
resources
5.1.3
Deliver the Maroondah FReeZA program to train and support
young people to plan and run all ages live music and cultural
events in Maroondah
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Dependent on
successful
application for
State
Government
funding to
continue
program beyond
2012
5.1.4
Deliver the Festival Crew program to involve young people in
planning and running the Youth Space at Maroondah
Festival
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
5.1.5
Provide young people with volunteer opportunities through
Youth Services that develop their skills and confidence and
help them contribute to the community
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
53
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Objective 5.2
Support young people to manage times of challenge and transition
5.2.1
Deliver a program to support young people aged 18-25 as
they navigate through this time of transition in their lives
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
5.2.2
Explore options for how Council can identify and address the
needs of 8-12 year olds in Maroondah, including during their
transition from primary to secondary school
Children’s Services
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Actively seek
new resources
5.2.3
Facilitate the Outer East Restorative Practices Network
(through School Focused Youth Service) to support the use
of restorative practice by schools and youth services in
Maroondah
Youth Services
Facilitate
2012/13
Dependent on
renewal of State
Government
funding to
continue the
SFYS program
beyond 2012/13
Objective 5.3
Work with stakeholders to ensure that young people have a range of opportunities that suit their differing education,
employment and recreation needs
5.3.1
Work with local schools to advocate for improved education
facilities and services in Maroondah, particularly in regards to
the redevelopment of the Ringwood Activities Area
Youth Services
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Actively seek
new resources
5.3.2
Engage with young people during the planning phase of the
new Ringwood Library, Learning & Cultural Centre and
advocate for their needs in its development
Youth Services
Advocate
2012 – 2016
Actively seek
new resources
Facilitate
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
Youth Services
Community Services
Business &
Development
Integrated Planning
5.3.3
Advocate for increased homework / study support programs
in Maroondah, including at the Ringwood Library, Learning &
54
Youth Services
Action
Responsibility
Council’s Role
Timeframe
Resources
Integrated Planning
Facilitate
2014/15 –
2015/16
Actively seek
new resources
Deliver
2012- 2016
Within existing
resources
Cultural Centre
5.3.4
Explore the concept of a youth-focused social enterprise as
part of the redevelopment of the Ringwood Activities Area
and/or Croydon Main St
Business &
Development
Youth Services
Cross-promote between Business & Development networks
and Youth Services online promotion to provide mutually
beneficial opportunities
Business and
Development
5.3.6
Provide a range of all-ages drug, alcohol and smoke-free live
music and cultural events for young people through the
Maroondah FReeZA program
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Dependent on
successful
application for
State
Government
funding to
continue
program beyond
2012
5.3.7
Deliver a range of social and recreation events for young
people (including during school holidays) to give young
people opportunities to connect with their peers and make
new friends
Youth Services
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
5.3.8
Explore opportunities to expand the Maroondah Art Gallery’s
education program
Arts Development
Facilitate
2014/15 –
2015/16
Actively seek
new resources
5.3.9
Investigate options for the establishment of a multimedia lab
at Wyreena Community Arts Centre
Arts Development
Facilitate
2014/15 –
2015/16
Actively seek
new resources
5.3.10
Expand the range of opportunities for young people to be
involved in relevant art activities
Arts Development
Deliver
2012 – 2016
Within existing
resources
5.3.5
Youth Services
Youth Services
55
Review and Renewal
The Youth Plan will be reviewed annually by Youth Services to track progress on the implementation
of actions, to evaluate initiatives, and to support continuous improvement and innovation.
To ensure that the Youth Plan remains relevant and up to date, the Action Plan will be intensively
reviewed and (if required) updated in 2014 to factor in new evidence and allow for the updating of
actions.
The Youth Plan will be evaluated in its final year to assess its progress and its impact on the
Maroondah youth community, and to inform the development of the next Youth Plan.
The Youth Plan will be renewed in 2016, following the next Maroondah Youth Consultation in 2015.
56
Acknowledgements
Maroondah City Council would like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the following
groups to this project:

All Maroondah City Council staff and Councillors who contributed to the project, with particular
mention to –
o
The Maroondah City Council Youth Services Team
o
The Youth Plan Steering Committee
o
Council’s Social Policy Officer

State Government of Victoria – Office for Youth

Participants of the Peer Engagement Program (‘The Crew’)

Young people who contributed their photographs and graphic design images for the Youth
Plan

The Maroondah community and local youth service sector who showed great generosity in
sharing their thoughts and feelings (often deeply personal) with Council through the
Maroondah Youth Consultation, particularly the 700+ young people – we are incredibly
grateful for your input
57
References
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Commonwealth of Australia (2010), National Strategy for Young Australians
.id Consulting (2011), City of Maroondah Population Forecasts, viewed 16/07/2012,
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Maroondah City Council (2001), Maroondah 2025 – A Community Planning Together
Maroondah City Council (2008), Community Engagement Policy
Maroondah City Council (2009), Maroondah City Council Community Wellbeing Plan 2009 - 2013
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Maroondah City Council (2011b), Youth Engagement Strategy 2011 – 2012
Maroondah City Council (2011c), Maroondah Youth Consultation Report 2011
Maroondah City Council (2012), Maroondah Youth Profile (2012)
Maroondah / Manningham School Focused Youth Service (2010), School Focused Youth Service
Needs Analysis Maroondah and Manningham 2010
Outer Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (2011), Environmental Scan 2011
Victorian Government (2012a), Engage, Involve, Create
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Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges
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Victorian Youth Sector
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