Planning session to consider ways to address youth-related issues in Esk Shire

Queensland Minister for Communities and Youth Warren Pitt has backed moves by Member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt to organise a planning session to consider ways to address youth-related issues in the Esk Shire.

Mr Pitt said Mr Wendt had briefed him on the issues, and the purpose of the proposed planning session.

“I’m aware that a public meeting held several weeks ago in Lowood was something of a debacle.

“As I understand it wasn’t properly run and went off the rails altogether.

“The problems that the meeting was meant to address – such as they are – haven’t gone away and still need community attention.

“Also, as well as what is happening in Lowood, it is important to consider the issues involved from a broader perspective and to look at the region as a whole.

“This time, with a more structured and organised planning session, there can be a positive and constructive discussion of the issues and what needs to be done to address them.

“Whatever problems and issues there are, they need to brought out into the open where they can be properly understood and considered.

“There’s nothing to be achieved with these issues being avoided or left to languish in the too-hard basket.

“The planning group will determine how to get wider community input into the process, including possibly through community meetings.

Mr Pitt said the Department of Communities would shortly convene a planning session involving government officers from the West Moreton Regional Managers Coordination Network and also community stakeholders.

“As the Regional Queensland Council representative for the Regional Managers Coordination Network, Wayne Wendt will chair the planning session.

“I know Wayne Wendt is taking a close interest in this matter, and has been actively involved in getting the discussions and planning underway.”

Mr Pitt said the discussions would not be confined to issues in Lowood but would consider youth-related matters in the Esk Shire generally.

Mr Pitt said the Department of Communities would work through the Regional Managers Coordination Network to implement a service intergration project, which would develop a coordinated whole-of-government response to youth issues in the Esk Shire.

“The project will consider issues such as education, employment and youth engagement, and would provide a mechanism to plan a way forward and identify strategies and actions to be implemented,” he said.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280