Gunning District Association will soon partner with service delivery organisations to deliver a two-year Youth Social Inclusion Pilot Program across Upper Lachlan Shire Council, thanks to a $54,000 investment from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities fund.
This Pilot will see the planning and delivery of youth activities and events in the Upper Lachlan Shire Council to boost referrals to youth providers/health services based in the nearby Goulburn Mulwaree and Yass Valley Council areas. The learnings from this pilot will provide useful lessons for other Rural Agricultural LGAs wanting to leverage services from nearby Regional centre.
The two-year Youth Social Inclusion Pilot Program across Upper Lachlan Shire Council area will provide youth activities and events to boost referrals to youth providers and health services in Goulburn and Yass.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman today said Gunning District Association (GDA) will partner with external organisations to deliver the pilot.
“The project arose out of proposals from Gunning District Association, particularly their youth members who were hoping to achieve a range of benefits. From improved access to services for young people to a better understanding of our regional youth, the pilot will also further opportunities for social connection between young people from different areas across the Shire.
Gunning District Association representative Gavin Douglas thanked the State Government for the investment.
“Based on attendance at the Dalton Youth Day and other youth activities held in Gunning, the program will directly benefit 310 young people aged 12-25, with indirect and future benefits to some 21 per cent of the Upper Lachlan Shire population,” Mr Douglas said.
Upper Lachlan Shire Mayor John Stafford applauded the State Government’s backing of the pilot.
“The learnings from this pilot will not only benefit local youth but it will also provide useful lessons for other rural agricultural areas wanting to leverage services from nearby regional towns and cities. The $400 million Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $1.7 billion Regional Growth Fund, which is being invested in local programs and infrastructure that improve the lives of people living in regional NSW. For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/strongercountrycommunities
WENDY TUCKERMAN 