City of Ballarat to consult local children about future

Ballarat’s children and their future are in the spotlight as the City of Ballarat kicks off consultation with children to coincide with Children’s Week.

 Running from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, Children’s Week is an annual national celebration that recognises the talents, skills, achievements and rights of children.

The theme for this year’s Children’s Week is ‘Children have the right to choose their own friends and safely connect with others’.

Within this theme the Council is looking at what children need in a community to be able to connect with others, by asking children to submit their responses to the following questions:

“Why should adults listen to kids?”

“What do you love about Ballarat?”

“What makes a good neighbourhood?”

It is important that children have their say about the place they live in. Children under the age of 14 make up about 20 per cent of Ballarat’s population, which is more than 20,000 children and growing every year.

 The children’s responses will inform the City of Ballarat’s Council Plan and other important documents about the future of our community.

 “The City of Ballarat is engaging with local children in meaningful consultation about their future as part of our commitment to be a child friendly city,” Janet Dore, Chief Executive Officer, said.

“As a proud signatory to the Child Friendly Cities and Communities Charter, we are committed to ensuring Ballarat’s children are active and engaged citizens in our community and that their voices are heard and valued.”  

 The consultation period will run until 13 November. To submit your ideas or for more details visit mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/childrens-consultation-2020