General News
30 August, 2023
Youth have say on flood recovery
YOUNG people in country Victoria want a greater focus on road maintenance and levee banks as part of future emergency responses, according to the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria submission to a Parliamentary inquiry into October’s flood...
YOUNG people in country Victoria want a greater focus on road maintenance and levee banks as part of future emergency responses, according to the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria submission to a Parliamentary inquiry into October’s flood emergency.
The submission was prepared after consultation sessions and surveys of youth, including in Loddon River communities and at Boort.
Youth have also called for a reduction in the age Victorians can become eligible for a provisional driving licence to bring Victoria into line with other states where the age is 17.
And the council has called for lifting the restriction on the number of passengers who can be carried by provisional drivers in rural and regional areas “at least during daylight hours and during disaster events”.
There is also a recommendation for creation of dedicated roles for young people on all local government disaster planning committees “to bring their unique experiences and perspectives to decision making in their communities. This includes providing more networking opportunities between council areas to create a stronger community support network, with young people represented through meetings and processes”.
Other youth and community support recommendations in the council’s submission include:
Support young people to build support networks and have social connectedness before, during and after disasters to reduce risk of isolation and as a mental health protective factor.
Provide funding for young people to undertake alternative social activities when their usual options have been affected by the disaster.
Provide funding for more youth workers through all stages of disaster preparedness and recovery, to ensure timely and trusted outreach and wraparound support; and
Improve communication in the lead-up to a flood event, with more comprehensive warning systems and consistent messages from all emergency services and organisations. Ensure communication is credible, relevant and accessible (both format and channels) for young people and distributed through communities.