Shire of Kalamunda recognised for consultation excellence

It is not an easy task to organise events and activities where 450 children and young people feel comfortable to tell you what they think, then distill their disparate and extensive opinions into one meaningful document.

The Shire of Kalamunda has successfully achieved this, engaging local children and young people through face-to-face activities, online surveys and targeted feedback strategies to inform their Youth Plan and, in doing so, has achieved a fantastic result for the whole community.

To recognise this excellence, the Shire today received the 2017 Children’s Consultation Award at the Children's Environment and Health Local Government Policy Awards – congratulations!

This is the third year my office has supported this award, and once again I am thoroughly impressed with the commitment many local governments are displaying to include the voices of young people in their decision making.

The Shire of August-Margaret River also received a commendation for coordinating a range of innovative and interactive activities to ensure children and young people were heard and their views used to help inform their planning processes. 

I congratulate everyone involved and offer my thanks to the Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA for hosting the awards.

The Children’s Consultation Award is a celebration of the continued efforts by local governments to listen to and support our youngest citizens.

Commissioner Colin Pettit and WALGA Vice President Tracy Roberts with Shire of Kalamunda award winners Alison Harpin and Lucy Mills