The taskforce, comprised of 18 members aged 12-24 from across regional NSW, will visit Imperial Lakes to meet Landcare representatives to talk about the importance of the environment to regional communities, leaving their own legacy at the site by planting trees.
The group will also tour Broken Hill Art Gallery to view the current exhibitions, which includes the art pieces of taskforce member Max Burrows.
Representatives from local organisation, Making Tracks, which provides alternative learning experiences to local disengaged youth, will also sit down with the taskforce members to explain the important work they do and the benefit their programs have on young people in the region.
The final taskforce meeting for 2023 will focus on improving community outcomes for young people living in regional NSW by exploring the opportunities they're given to be creative, collaborative, develop a sense of achievement, and feel socially and culturally connected and included.
Throughout the year, taskforce members have provided valuable perspectives on the experiences of young people living in regional areas by discussing important topics, such as work-readiness, wellbeing and connection.
Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said: "I'm excited to be in Broken Hill this weekend to hear directly from young people about this issues that matter to them. "Our Government values the voices of young people across our state, in past forums I have heard directly from young people who tell me housing, climate change and job security are some of their biggest issues."
Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty said: "Investing in the environment is crucial for regional areas. Not only will this initiative give young people new skills, but it will also equip them with knowledge of the local land to help create a sustainable future. "These events give young people from remote and regional areas the opportunity to share their unique perspective and help us shape better outcomes for our regional communities."
Broken Hill Taskforce Representative Faith Devlin (they/them) said: "My community is made up of many different collectives, and in each I find comfort for the different aspects of my life. "My involvement in my queer community, in my generational community and my local community are all fundamental elements to help ground myself and be in touch with what matters most to me. "Being able to understand and simultaneously be understood is, I think, the base of community." Landcare Park Ranger David Elston said: "We're keen to get the perspectives of young people on the future development of the site and the types of recreation they like to engage in. "Our hope is that by having the Regional Youth Taskforce take part in tree planting at the Imperial Lakes Nature Park it'll help them to form a connection to the natural world that they'll carry forward into their own communities."
For more information on the Regional Youth Taskforce, visit: nsw.gov.au/RegionalYouthTaskforce
