KIAMA High School students were given an insight to how local government works at the Kiama Municipal Council Youth Engagement Meeting this week.
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An annual event, the meeting is formal council meeting held at the school which focuses on youth-related issues.
This year’s meeting saw 13 reports discussed at the meeting, covering issues such as employment, road safety, busking and school programs.
Students were also given the chance to present questions without notice to councillors at the conclusion of the meeting
Issued raised by the students included parking at the school, lighting for pedestrian crossings, disposal bins for fishing line and hooks at Kiama Harbour and road safety upgrades around the municipality.
Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said the meeting was an important event.
‘‘I think the meeting is a very good idea, it was an initiative of the previous council and it’s a great way for us to engage with students at the school,’’ Cr Petschler said.
‘‘The issues that we discuss at the meeting are ones that come from the previous meetings or issues that come up in normal meetings that have a specific link to the youth of the are.’’
Cr Petschler said the meeting was also an opportunity for to explain to young people what local governments are responsible for.
‘‘One of the questions that was put to us was the idea of a safety mirror on a bend in Jamberoo Road, that gave us the opportunity to explain that while we might carry out work like that, we do it on the behalf of Roads and Maritime Safety, so it’s good to be able to clear things like that up.’’
Cr Petschler said information from the meeting would be compiled into a report for councillors.
Council is also currently awaiting a report on youth issues stemming from the Kiama Youth Forum it held last month.