Local high school students will get a taste what it’s like to be a Councillor next week when Central Coast Council hosts its annual Future Council.

Future Council is a partnership program between Central Coast Council and Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre for Years 9 and 10 students on civics and citizenship and local government decision making. 

Students will debate real local issues they are passionate about and will cast a vote on behalf of their community, just like a real Councillor, with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the Chair.

Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said Future Council is a great opportunity for students to develop an understanding of how Local Government works and a taste of the skills and knowledge required to make decisions that affect those in their local community.    

“We work closely with our local schools and make sure the topics relate to the curriculum and what they are studying in their classroom but also of interest to the broader community,” Ms Vaughan said.

“This forum sees students explore environmental, social and economic issues in a format that is engaging and colourful.

“Future Council gives students an understanding of civics and citizenships specific to their local community and gives our future leaders a taste of how local Government fits into a democratic process.”

Students participating in next week’s forums will debate issues including development of a music festival site, coastal management, plastic bag ban, community resilience with extreme weather events, sustainable housing, companion animals, changes to residential waste services bicycle infrastructure and a bikeshare program partnership, development of a large youth centre and marine parks.

Mayor Jane Smith said she is looking forward to see the Coast’s future leaders in the Chambers with her debating local issues.

“This will be my first Future Council as Mayor and I hope we can inspire some of the students to think of Local Government as a career in the future,” Mayor Smith said.

“The students will actually be sitting in the Chambers with me, in the Councillors’ chairs which will give them an authentic experience.

“I think it will be just as challenging and interesting for me as chairing a real Council meeting.

“We want more young people to participate in civic life and their community and this program provides a forum where they can express views on issues they are passionate about, build self-confidence and encourage community connectedness.   

“We are proud to host this program for our local students and I look forward seeing some of these students as leaders in our Council in the future.”

Mayor Jane Smith will chair the Future Council Session on Monday 30 October in the Wyong Chambers. Deputy Mayor Chris Holstein will chair the session to be held in the Gosford Chambers on Friday 3 November.  Debate will get underway at 9:30am.   

Local schools taking part in Future Council include Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College – Tumbi Campus, Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College – Berkeley Vale Campus, Lake Munmorah High School, Wyong Christian Community School, Saint Brigid’s Catholic College, Green Point Christian College, Brisbane Water Secondary College – Umina Campus, Gosford High School, Kariong Mountains High School, Terrigal High School, Kincumber High School, Narara Valley High School and Erina High School.