WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report
Creative LINKS Foundation Paul Rajan Bindi Öther-Gee Matrix Consulting Group Colin Penter
August 2004 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 3
1 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND...... 8 1.1 WESROC YOUTH NEEDS STUDY ...... 8 1.2 BACKGROUND...... 8 1.3 OUTLINE METHODOLOGY ...... 9 1.4 OVERVIEW OF POLICY AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING YOUNG PEOPLE ...... 11 2 FINDINGS...... 17 2.1 INTRODUCTION...... 17 2.2 LITERATURE REVIEW - ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ...... 17 2.3 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF YOUNG PEOPLE & THE WESTERN SUBURBS ...... 21 2.4 FINDINGS OF CONSULTATIONS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE...... 25 2.5 CONSULTATION WITH AGENCIES & SERVICE PROVIDERS...... 42 2.6 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ...... 44 3 DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDATIONS...... 46 3.1 AN OVERALL PICTURE ...... 46 3.2 FINDINGS ON KEY PRIORITY AREAS AND KEY RESULT AREAS ...... 47 3.3 FORMING PARTNERSHIPS WITH STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS ...... 55 3.4 REGIONAL AND LOCAL STRATEGIES ...... 56 3.5 A STRATEGY FOR PROVIDING PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND FACILITIES ...... 60
WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Report presents the findings of a Study commissioned by WESROC which is a voluntary alliance of six Western Suburbs local government authorities. The six Councils are Claremont, Cottesloe, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove, Mosman Park and Subiaco.
WESROC has been progressively considering opportunities to review existing programs, services and facilities and decided to investigate the needs and expectations of its younger residents. As a result this Study was commissioned during 2003.
METHODOLOGY The research was carried out over a six month period and the methodology included the following: a review of relevant literature and documents; recruitment of a group of Young Project Advisors; consultation with members of Youth Advisory Councils; analysis of Council services, programs and activities for young people; consultation and discussion with Council staff; extensive consultation with young people in both formal and informal settings; a survey of young people; extensive consultation with service providers; and a study of demographic data.
Between 700 and 800 people contributed information to the Project.
It is important to note that the research approach was to use a number of data sources to answer the questions posed by the Project Brief. The research process included comparison of responses to similar questions or enquiries to test the validity of the information.
There was, in fact, very great consistency of information gathered from all sources, including the survey, which provides for considerable confidence in the findings.
Literature Service Youth Review Provider Consultations Consultations
ANALYSIS & Demographic FINDINGS Survey Data
RECOMMENDATIONS
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 3 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report KEY FINDINGS, GAPS AND ISSUES 1. Demographics: Demographic data indicates that that Western Suburbs population: is older and better off than the Perth metropolitan population as a whole; has a higher proportion of young people (15-19 yrs) than in the Perth metropolitan area as a whole but the rate of increase is lower; there are pockets of very high incomes, of lower incomes and of disadvantage in the general population; the proportion of young people is likely to decrease slightly in coming years; numbers of young people over 19 years tend to decline, except in Subiaco; and youth unemployment is lower than Perth metropolitan area, except in Mosman Park.
2. Recognition and priority: Young people want to be a valued and recognised part of the community and accorded a higher status in the policy and resource allocation decisions of WESROC and its member Councils. Young people want to have a greater say in local government decisions that affect them and their communities.
3. Regional co-ordination and service provision: Young people who live and recreate in the Western Suburbs are unaware of administrative boundaries in their area and move widely and freely across the region as they recreate and engage in all kinds of social, educational and other activities. Youth policy and service development strategies would be more effective if framed on a regional basis, as well as a local government- specific basis.
4. Information and communication: There is a wide variety of resources, facilities, events and services available to young people in the Western Suburbs. However, young people are often not well informed about these and/or ways of gaining access. They find current information sources about youth specific services, events and facilities to be lacking and inadequate and not well targeted, in style and/or content, to their specific needs.
5. Young people as valued citizens; participation and engagement: Young people want to be active and contributing citizens in their communities and they seek opportunities to contribute as part of a broad and inclusive community engagement process. They take a real interest in the world, but express a sense of frustration about having limited opportunities to develop that interest in local government matters. They are critical of tokenistic efforts to involve them.
6. Access to mainstream public infrastructure and services: Young people want to access mainstream public infrastructure, programs, activities and services, as well as those designed specifically for young people. Parks, ovals, public open space, green spaces, libraries, and public facilities and services are well used and highly valued by young people. However, young people would like to see mainstream infrastructure and services be more “youth friendly” (in terms of accessibility, cost, availability, attractiveness for youth and staff attitudes towards young people).
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 4 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 7. Gaps in current provision: Young people identify a number of gaps in services and facilities in the Western Suburbs. These include: health services for young people and access to bulk billing; specialist mental health services for youth; alcohol and drug education programs; community education for the wider community on youth issues; low-cost youth–specific entertainment and recreation facilities; a ‘centre’ for the development of youth initiatives, engagement and activity; lack of information about existing entertainment and recreation facilities; inadequate public transport system (in terms of cost, lack of bus routes, difficulty moving across the region, train timetables, concerns over safety) lack of accessible and appropriate information about public transport; affordable housing options for young people; opportunities for participation in local affairs; and dedicated resources for youth development in a number of member Councils.
8. Safety & Security: Many young people, largely but not exclusively young women, report feeling unsafe and insecure in specific locations such as entertainment precincts and access routes to public transport and transport infrastructure.
9. Health & Wellbeing: Young people, particularly young women, express high levels of concern about health and wellbeing issues facing them and other young people. Issues of concern include; the pressures placed on young people in the Western Suburbs by expectations for high achievement, the risk and prevalence of substance misuse, the prevalence of mental health problems, and the absence of well targeted and cost accessible youth appropriate health services of all kinds (particularly the absence of bulk billing GP services and sexual and reproductive health services).
10. Recreation, community education, culture and the arts: Young people are a diverse group and seek access to and participation in a wide range of recreational, cultural and educational activities and events, both mainstream and youth specific, which reflect their wide ranging needs and recognise cost as a barrier to access. While they want access to youth specific events, programs and services, they also want to be able to access events, services and programs accessible to the wider community. These mainstream services and programs need to be more youth friendly.
11. Access to public transport: Young people in the Western Suburbs place a high value and significance on the public transport system as a preferred mode of travel around the region. They identify problems with the existing public transport system including cost, lack of bus routes at certain times and servicing certain areas, difficulty moving across the region, train timetables, concerns over safety and a lack of accessible and appropriate information about public transport. They want to have their views included in the creation of a more accessible and relevant transport system and improved transport information system.
IMMEDIATE ACTION AREAS
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 5 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Based on the findings the Report makes 8 broad Recommendations for WESROC and member Councils and proposes a range of strategies to address each Recommendation (see Section 3.5). A number of areas for immediate action emerge from the Recommendations and Strategies.
1. Formulation and adoption by WESROC and each member council of a Regional Youth Commitment that establishes the strategic priority to be accorded youth issues in the business of local government in the Western Suburbs and commits WESROC and member Councils to provide the necessary resources to support young people’s well-being and future development (See Recommendation 1). This policy would: establish the region as the focus for youth service development; commit each member council to contribute resources to a WESROC strategic initiative focused on youth; commit each Council to devote specific resources and provide services to young people and to expand Council services, activities and programs provided to young people; link each Council’s youth programs to the wider Regional strategy; and involve State and Federal government agencies concerned with youth to ensure a strategic and coordinated response to youth needs in the Western suburbs.
2. Development of regional partnerships, structures and activities to involve young people more actively in the business of local government, as well as the communities in which they live and recreate (See Recommendation 3). Create and promote access to structures within WESROC and each member Council that allow young people to contribute to their own development and that of the broader community (e.g. Youth Advisory Councils and other issue- specific consultative structures). Provide meaningful opportunities for young people to be actively involved in the business and decision-making of Councils (WESROC and its members) and to other civil and community institutions. Ensure regional policies and Council policies on the management of public space and physical infrastructure recognise the needs of young people. Improve young people’s access to mainstream services, facilities and events through direct delivery by WESROC and its members and through leadership and advocacy with others.
3. Development of regional partnerships and structures to involve youth service providers in government and non government organisations and community groups working with young people (see Recommendation 3). Establish a Regional Youth Co-ordinating Network involving youth providers from across the region as the focus for collaboration in youth services. Establish a working party to plan the development of a physical base for youth service co-ordination and collaboration, policy development and advocacy and leadership in regional youth development (See Recommendations 2, 4, & 8). An important goal of this information base/centre would be to improve young people’s access to information about youth and mainstream services, events, activities and resources across the WESROC region.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 6 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 4. In partnership with young people and other stakeholders, develop a Regional Youth Communications Strategy to improve the provision of information to young people about events, services, initiatives and facilities in the WESROC region. As part of this develop an Annual Regional Calendar of Youth Events and Activities. This should also aim to facilitate collaboration with local media in reporting and supporting youth issues (See Recommendation 6).
5. Convene a one day forum inviting identified agencies to deal with the safety and security concerns of young women and to develop an integrated action plan to improve the sense of personal safety among young people, particularly young women across the Western Suburbs (See Recommendation 2).
6. Young people and service providers have identified a range of unmet needs and priorities including lack of youth health services and bulk billing GPs (see Recommendation 2). Strategies to address these unmet needs could be developed by WESROC and include: Negotiate with and lobby the Regional Division of General Practice and Health Department of WA to increase the availability and accessibility of confidential bulk billing GP services. Convene a collaborative working group to promote and improve the availability of appropriate, accessible and affordable youth health and wellbeing services to serve young people in the Western Suburbs. This group could also look at ways that local services could be supported and assisted to develop and extend early intervention and prevention programs targeting young people at risk as well as young people experiencing difficulties due to family circumstances, school pressures, mental health and substance abuse concerns (See Recommendation 2).
7. Facilitate the establishment of a youth transport users consultative mechanism to advise public transport authorities about strategies to make the public transport system in the Western Suburbs more responsive to young people’s needs (See Recommendation 2).
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 7 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report
1 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
1.1 WESROC Youth Needs Study The Western Suburbs Regional Group of Councils (WESROC) has a combined population of 64,270 in an area of 35 square kilometres and is comprised of the following local government authorities. Town of Claremont Town of Cottesloe Town of Mosman Park City of Nedlands Shire of Peppermint Grove City of Subiaco
WESROC is a voluntary alliance comprised of an Executive of the six Chief Executive Officers, and a Board, which includes the six Mayors or Shire Presidents. While each local government authority is independent, WESROC provides a mechanism to work cooperatively in order to optimise resources and increase customer value to the residents living within the region.
WESROC has been progressively considering opportunities to review existing programs, services and facilities and has decided to investigate the needs and expectations of its younger residents. As a result the current Study was commissioned during 2003.
1.2 Background Local government authorities increasingly recognise that they have an important role to play in delivering services and programs to address the needs of young people.
Local communities and local governments can contribute significantly to the inclusion of young people in the life of their communities by planning and providing services designed to meet their needs. This can be achieved by recognising and acknowledging the unique and diverse needs of young people and by providing opportunities for young people to connect with their community through appropriate local services, programs, facilities and activities.
To ignore the needs of young people has the potential to increase their sense of alienation and marginalisation and create more problems for the community. It results in a failure to recognise the important role young people play in the life of their communities and the significant contribution they can and do make to a wide range of community activities and resources.
Many local governments play an important role in identifying and responding to youth needs. Many councils plan and fund youth programs and services, provide ‘youth friendly space’, provide drop-in centres and recreation facilities
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 8 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report such as skateboard parks and recreation venues. Many also provide opportunities for young people to participate, through structures such as Youth Advisory Councils (YACs).
The extent to which local governments are involved in direct management and delivery of services to young people varies from authority to authority. While the nature and extent of their involvement is a decision for each local authority, there is an increasing recognition that this level of government can play a significant role both directly though service delivery and, very importantly, indirectly though facilitation, brokerage and leadership.
It is important to emphasise that responsibility for meeting youth needs does not reside solely with local governments. It is a shared responsibility involving local, state and Commonwealth governments, community agencies, the wider community and families.
While local government has no specific statutory obligation to young people, it does have a responsibility to provide ‘good government’ for the community it serves, including young people. Local government is also the sphere of government closest to the people and the one that has knowledge of the community at the grass roots.
Local government is therefore the level of government closest to young people and is well placed to be aware of their needs and aspirations. It is also the level of government through which youth can be most easily engaged.
1.3 Outline Methodology The original proposed methodology consisted of five inter-related phases the last of which is the delivery of the project report and associated discussions.
Preparation and Planning A number of meetings with the Steering Committee and individual member Councils to confirm the scope of the Study, establish communication protocols and gather existing information from member Councils.
Research and Investigation Services within the region were mapped, identifying each Council’s current youth programs, services and activities and those provided by others within the region. ABS and other social and demographic information was collected to enable identification of broad scale population trends which might inform the analysis of research data and the implementation of recommendations.
Managers and officers in each of the 6 Councils were consulted to collect and aggregate information on local activities and initiatives and the priorities of the member councils in youth affairs. The material from these discussions was recorded and provided back to the member councils for confirmation. Other service providers within the region were also consulted. This stage continued during the entire Study as service providers suggested others who should be consulted. Over 50 agencies were contacted in all. These discussions also
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 9 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report explored initiatives pursued outside this region which might give insight into questions to be addressed in this Study.
Recruitment and Preparation of Youth Project Advisors (YPAs) An important aspect of the methodology was the recruitment and preparation of a group of young people to act as advisors to the Study. Information was circulated widely through the media about the Study and expressions of interest received from a number of young people. With the involvement of the steering committee, eleven young people were recruited, consulted and trained through an all-weekend workshop. They took part in the design, distribution and conduct of the survey. They also undertook discussions with their peers and contributed to the framing of an understanding of the priorities of young people across the region.
Terms of Reference for the YPAs were developed, along with briefings and safety statements for parents and carers of those under 18 years.
This was a slow and time consuming process, taking almost ten weeks from publicity to workshops. It did, however, provide invaluable sights into the youth community of the Western Suburbs and important guidance on the design of consultative mechanisms.
Youth and Community/ Stakeholder Consultation The Study and the survey were promoted through a series of articles in the local press. Information was also distributed through the WESROC member councils, organisations in contact with young people (such as schools and sports clubs), youth organisations, peak welfare groups and via young people themselves.
Data collection instruments were developed including a survey (available on paper and on the internet) and a data framework for public and community consultation. It became clear that electronic mechanisms were likely to be ineffective means of maximising results. Over 500 hard-copy surveys were printed and circulated. Although it is not possible to know how many actually reached young people, this was a much more successful means of distribution with a much greater response rate of about 50%. Many were returned by individuals, but the researchers also used a number of young people to take surveys into the community and assist young people to complete them. These young research assistants also conducted a large number of informal interviews with young people, in groups and individually, who did not complete the survey. They brought back a significant amount of discursive material which added to the overall level of information available to the Study.
Consultation opportunities were also arranged through established networks, agencies and other community organisations and young people were approached on the street, in the community and at a number of community events.
The researchers were careful to make sure young people from all the member council areas took part in the consultations, in some proportion to the sizes of the respective LGA populations. Overall the consultation sample was broadly in
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 10 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report line with population sizes and achieved a reasonable age and gender profile. More than 500 young people contributed to the initial data collection process approximating to 10% of the 15 to 19 year cohort of the WESROC region.
The data is rich and complex and confirms the heterogeneity of the youth community of the Western Suburbs.
Analysis and Reporting The data received from each source was compared to assess its overall coherence and to assess the extent to which different sources provided data which agreed or conflicted with other sources. There was a high level of congruence of views and priorities in data gained from all sources.
The analysis included mapping of quantitative and qualitative responses by issue and by location of respondent. Key issues were drawn out and a number of priority concerns and views resulted.
This analysis was used to develop an overall picture of the views and aspirations of the young people who live in the Western Suburbs and those who live elsewhere, but visit the region and use its resources.
The data, analysis and the experiences of other locations have contributed to the development of eight core recommendations and a number of subordinate strategic proposals.
1.4 Overview of Policy and Other Issues Impacting Young People
The following information has been collated from a review of recent literature on youth affairs and the position of young people in society. While it is national in nature, relating to Australian youth as a whole, it carries important contextual messages for a consideration of the position of young people in the Western Suburbs.
An important aggregation of currently available information about young people has recently (March 2004) been published by the Foundation for Young Australians. The ‘Profile of Young Australians’ document includes over 500 pages of information on the Australian youth community including demographics, family life, the financial circumstances of young people, young people in need of protection, the health of young people, lifestyle and health risk behaviours, leisure time activities, young people and the law, secondary school education, participation in further education, training and work and young people and civil society.1
Understanding the position of young people in Australian society at any point in history is a complex thing. To try and do it with any kind of detail, recognising the impact of economic factors, cultural difference, gender
1 Susan Pitman et al, 2003, Profile of Young Australians: Facts, Figures and Issues, The Foundation for Young Australians, Melbourne. http://www.youngaustralians.org/profile
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 11 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report inequalities and the interplay of these and other variables, is pretty well impossible. To project this kaleidoscope into the future with any kind of reliability…2 Youth is an artificial construct to link the periods of childhood with adulthood. In traditional societies, the process of maturity sees a person graduate from childhood to adulthood, taking on the roles and responsibilities of a full member of the community. In post-industrial revolution western societies, an interim and artificial stage has been created, to allow the progression of a person from childhood into a stateless and role-less period we have come to know as ‘youth’.
This non role includes a period in which dependence on family is maintained, the major activity is education and rights and responsibilities are confused and not codified in policy or legislation.
By the same token, the demands of the adult world are conflicting, confusing and often paradoxical. Society requires young people to behave and think like adults but fails to provide compensatory status or rights as a reward. While young people are required to remain subservient to adult will and direction, it is understood that they need to be allowed to take some controlled risks and test their cognitive and decision making abilities.
This social construct has challenged policy makers to develop a balance between social control and the exercise of personal rights which would allow a proper description of this twilight period in human development. Over the past 50 years they have signally failed to meet that challenge. As the demands on young people in particular have become ever more complex, we continue to expect adult behaviour from teenagers, but remain reluctant to offer a civil status which respects responsibility and the expectations of increasing maturity.
In recent times, income support and education policies in particular have made this even more complex. They are adult at 18, allowed to vote, join the armed forces, sign contracts and held responsible as an adult in law. Despite this, young people are not eligible for independent adult allowances until 25, and are expected to be dependent on parents longer and to remain in the family home often late into their twenties. At this same age their parents were already in long term relationships and raising their own families.
This fog of rights and demands has created very significant, and for some, intolerable, tensions for young people. They see themselves as second class citizens at best, denied a stake-holding in communities which increasingly demand them to be more respectful and responsible for the smooth running of our social structures. Why, they ask, should we be responsible for the preservation of something which denies us recognition as contributing and responsible citizens?
2 Sercombe, H. et al. 2002 Youth and the Future, Effective Youth Services for the Year 2015. National Youth Affairs Research Scheme, Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies Hobart, Tasmania
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 12 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report The community voices great concern about levels of offending behaviour by young people, road trauma, suicide rates and high risk behaviour such as alcohol use. Often there is no consequent contribution to the resolution of the tensions which these social ills can reflect.
The most common call from young people is to be heard, respected and engaged in the development of the solutions, not to be seen as the source of the problem. In creating more practical responses, we need to develop an understanding of the world as it is seen by the young. Rapid changes in youth culture fuelled by communications/media development and the pressure on young people by commercial interests, are important to take into account.
In addition, generational social changes taking place as the baby boomer generation ages, without a clear or comfortable succession plan, puts further pressure on the young. Many young people report that, unless they reflect the views and aspirations of the older generation, they will never be invited to sit at the community table and participate in ‘adult conversations’.
Internal cultural change among the young, as they look for an acceptable clear identity, suggests it would be unwise to plan for consistent responses and demands from young people far beyond a four year period.
Young people expect that they will be, and be seen to be, different in many ways from the previous generation. Their pursuit of difference and statements of contemporary identity are unlikely to meet with the approval of many in the next generation. This points to the need to provide opportunities for continuous input into policy and program formulation.
Young people now are also much better informed than previous generations and have high expectations of services and resources. This makes them harder to service than the previous similar age cohort. The complexity of these demands from a group, which has no clear status, often causes decision makers to forget that they require the same services as the rest of the community. They require transport, housing, health services, education and protection. They also require the more familiar youth specific activities and supports. In these cases they may need age specific delivery mechanisms.
It is also the case that many young people remain willing to assist and support the efforts of those they trust in designing and operating what is needed.
Some specific issues which reflect changes in the youth community and in the community at large, and which reveal the impact of some existing public policy, are also worth considering as a background to this Study.
Youth Housing In Australia the majority of young people continue to live with their parents, and, for reasons indicated above, this figure is increasing. In 1997, some 88% of
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 13 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 15 to 19 year-olds, and 46% of 20 to 24 year-olds, lived with at least one parent. Since that time the proportion has increased from 61% to 66% (McLennan 1997, p.19)3. Those between 20 and 24 years, living with parents, has slowly risen, from 43% in 1988 to 48% in 1999. The rate of change has also increased, rising as much in the last three years as in the previous ten (ibid.).
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has projected these living arrangements in five-yearly stages to 2021. The results of this projection are represented in the table below which suggests: two-parent households with children will decrease, and the numbers of young people living in such households will decrease; single-parent households will increase and the number of young people living with a single parent will increase; young people living in group households (i.e. with non-family members) will increase; more young people will live alone, though most will continue to live with other people; fewer young people will be living as a couple; fewer young people will be living as a couple with children. By 2016 there will be more couple families without children than with; and more young people will live with a relative.
The living arrangements of 15- to 24-year-olds: linear projection from 1986–1996 data (Series C)
1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 % % % % % Partner, couple + child 4.6 3.3 2.4 1.8 1.3 Child, couple 49.3 49.3 48.0 46.7 44.8 Relative, couple + child 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 Partner, couple no child 8.3 6.7 5.5 4.5 3.6 Relative, couple no child 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 Male single parent 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Female single parent 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.6 2.8 Child of single parent 11.2 12.2 13.0 13.7 14.3 Relative of single parent 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 Relative 3.0 3.3 3.7 4.1 4.6 Living with family 82.8 81.6 79.9 78.4 76.7 Group households 10.3 11.1 12.3 13.3 14.5 Male alone 2.2 2.3 2.5 2.7 2.9 Female alone 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.8 3.2 Institutions etc. 2.8 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.7
Total 15- to 24-year-olds 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Source: Skinner, T. (1999) Household and family projections Australia 1996–2021 ABS, Canberra
Young People and Crime In the Criminal Justice System, young people often have the highest profile as offenders and causes of nuisance. In recent years more media column inches and electronic media hours have been devoted to this issue than any other
3 McLennan, W. 1997, Youth, Australia: a social report,1997, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 14 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report concerning young people. Young people continue to offend and require a response from the community. There is, however, another facet of the relationship between the young and criminality which receives little or no attention, even when a high profile case brings it to our attention.
Young people are the most likely age group to become victims of serious crime, including robbery, theft, physical and sexual violence. During the period 1993– 97, 15 to 24 year-olds consistently had the highest victimisation rate for personal crimes. In 1993, the rate was 7.9%, about 75% more than the next most victimised group (25 to 34 year-olds at 4.5%)4. In 1997 the victimisation rates for 15 to 19 year-olds was the highest at 10.6%, with males in this group having a rate of 12.3% and females 8.7%5.
Young People’s Health and Wellbeing The Western Suburbs are home to relatively highly educated well-resourced and high-achieving communities. The area is also home to a number of private schools and academic institutions, many students are resident in the area with families or in school boarding houses.
There are pockets of social and economic disadvantage which are often well hidden and there are large numbers of young people who visit the area. One issue which confronts many of these young people is that of their health and wellbeing, in the face of the increasing pressures of life in the 21st Century.
While health services are outside the primary responsibilities of local government, there is an increasing body of research which shows connections between overall wellbeing and the facilities, programs or activities that local government can provide or encourage.
Work on early intervention strategies has yielded some important directions for work with children and young people which seem to have beneficial effects. These effects are often outside the direct or immediate impact of the strategy. Speaking at a conference on early intervention in 2001 Professor Sven Silburn presented the following framework describing the antecedents and remedial or preventative indicators which could be of help in reducing harm and ill health.6
4 Mukherjee, S. & Graycar, A. 1997, Crime and Justice in Australia, Hawkins Press, Sydney. 5 Mukherjee, S. 2000, ‘Crime trends: A national perspective’, in Crime and the Criminal Justice System in Australia: 2000 and Beyond, eds D. Chappell & P. Wilson, Butterworths, Sydney, pp.45-62. 6 Silburn, S. 2001 Promoting Young People’s Health and Wellbeing using Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies Centre for Developmental Health, Curtin University of Technology And TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research It’s Not Easy Being a Guy Conference 2001
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 15 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Risk Factors for Youth Problems
Community Family School Peer & Self
Low neighbourhood Poor family Academic Early initiation of problem behaviour attachment management failure Rebelliousness High community Poor discipline Low Antisocial behaviour disorganisation commitment Family conflict to school Sensation seeking Community transitions Family history of anti- and mobility Attitudes favourable towards anti- social behaviour social behaviour Community laws & Parental attitudes norms favourable to drug Interaction with anti-social peers favourable to drug use use Attitudes favourable towards drug use Parental attitudes Perceived availability of favourable to anti- Perceived risks of drug use drugs social behaviour Friends use drugs
Deleted: Page Break Factors Protecting against Youth Problems
Community Family School Peer & Self
Opportunities for Positive family Sense of belonging Positive social skills involvement in attachment with school community organised youth Belief in the natural order activities Opportunities for pro- Opportunities for social involvement with involvement with pro- Religious involvement Rewards for pro- family social activities social involvement Rewards for pro-social Rewards for pro-social involvement involvement
There seem to be two primary policy messages for local governments working with young people. First, at a community level, there are opportunities to engage and reward young people through the creation of participative and stakeholder programs. These programs can give young people a relationship with, and ownership in, the locality. Secondly, there are opportunities to build collaborative strategies. These can include working with schools, and other community based organisations, as partners, enhancing local government’s capacity. Partnerships also provide mechanisms to impact on a range of areas in which local government cannot or should not take a lead.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 16 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 2 FINDINGS
2.1 Introduction
The research used a number of data gathering techniques as listed in the Methodology. Extensive consultations with young people and service providers working in the Western Suburbs were undertaken. The results of the consultations may at times appear to produce conflicting perceptions. The role of individuals, their experiences and their priorities will influence the material they provided to the Study. This does not invalidate any one perspective, it simply reinforces the complexity of the issues. Outcomes of meetings and events are documented as they were recorded.
Neither the survey nor the consultations were intended to provide a ‘statistically valid’ description of the Western Suburbs population of young people. This approach to surveys is rarely used in contemporary social research. It is not only expensive and logistically complex, it is also not credible methodologically. This would be as true of Western Suburbs young people as any other population. There would be no way of confirming a ‘representative’ sample of young people had been surveyed or consulted. For this reason it is strongly advised that recommendations be implemented in consultation with the target population, in order to provide on-going input into action taken on the basis of this research.
Surveys are used as an additional source of information to assist with the confirmation or otherwise of data from other sources. Triangulation of data from a number of sources allows for the comparison of information, conclusions are based on the aggregated data, not on any one source.
This section of the report provides the findings of the Study by source.
2.2 Literature Review - Role of Local Government The following is a summary of a Literature Review of the role of local government in meeting youth needs.
General Issues The literature identifies that there is a tendency among community commentators to consider all young people as a single group. This leads to a view that all young people have the same needs. Their needs are, however, very different, both within the same age group and across age groups. Youth needs also change continually over time.
Communities generally cater relatively well for younger children aged under the age of 12. While sport and recreation facilities and programs can meet some youth needs, they do not meet others. Such activities are often age and gender specific. Many young people are not interested in sport and recreation and participation rates in sport and recreation activities are declining.
Many local governments play an important role in identifying and responding to youth needs. Among local government authorities a variety of different
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 17 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report approaches to meeting youth needs are identified. Each authority may use some or a combination of these approaches in meeting youth needs.
Community Development Approach Some local governments address youth needs using a community development approach. Rather than provide services directly a community development approach includes funding, resourcing and supporting local agencies best positioned to support and service young people.
This approach may not be appropriate in all communities. Some communities have the advantage of having experienced and competent community organisations which are able to successfully deliver services to young people. In other communities few such services exist.
Service Delivery Approach Local governments are major providers of activities, programs and services for young people. Councils plan and fund youth programs and services, provide ‘youth friendly space’, provide drop-in centres and recreation facilities such as skateboard parks and youth specific recreation venues. They also provide mainstream services that young people access such as swimming pools, parks and libraries.
The extent to which local governments are involved in direct management and delivery of services to young people varies from authority to authority. While the nature and extent of their involvement is a decision for each local authority, many recognise they can play a significant role both directly and indirectly though service delivery, facilitation, brokerage and leadership.
Some authorities are trying to take a more strategic perspective to their service delivery role, locating youth service provision and youth needs planning and development within a ‘whole of council’ approach (e.g. council-wide Youth Plan/Strategy). Each arm or section of the council then has responsibility for specific strategies and outcomes that will address youth needs. A local example of such an approach is the City of Nedlands Youth Strategy.
Community Wellbeing/Social Capital Approach More local governments are now seeking ways to enhance and develop social capital and community wellbeing and community capacity. These community- wide approaches focus attention on ways that LGAs can create sustainable, vibrant and healthy communities as a whole. In this context addressing youth needs and involving them in civic and community life is vital for community wellbeing.
A more commonly used approach is a community auditing process. Councils attempt to gauge on a regular basis the health and wellbeing of the community as a whole on a range of measures and indicators. This includes the circumstances of young people. Many councils have adopted a variety of community-wide audit approaches, including Sustainability Principles, Triple Bottom Line approaches, Quality of Life Indicators, and Community Wellbeing
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 18 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Measures. Local examples are the Community Wellbeing Plan developed by the City of Nedlands and the Social Capital Project initiated by the City of Subiaco.
Partnership Approach Responsibility for meeting youth needs does not reside solely with local governments. It is a shared responsibility involving local, state and Federal governments, community agencies, the wider community and families.
Local governments are increasingly looking at opportunities for more ‘partnership’ work, working with government at all levels, not-for-profit organisations, community groups, local businesses, families and communities, and with young people themselves, to meet young people’s needs.
Government and non-government agencies are looking at ways local governments can become involved in ‘joined up’ initiatives and programs that aim to address local youth needs and problems that fall within the responsibility of many agencies. These initiatives provide councils with the opportunity to collaborate with governments and non-government organisations on projects of mutual benefit for young people. There are many such examples of projects. Local examples include Local Learning Employment Partnerships and the Subiaco Youth Network.
Local governments are also looking at ways to collaborate with other local government authorities, such as those with adjoining local government boundaries. Issues may be of a regional nature or require goals and outcomes unable to be achieved as individual authorities. Local examples include the current WESROC Youth Needs Study project and the AmpFest Festivals.
Place Based and Planning Approaches The importance of public space for young people is not well understood by many adults. Young people need to be able to meet and socialise and ‘hang out’, with other young people, in space that is their own.
Young people have a strong sense of place and public spaces play an important role in their development. These spaces provide the opportunity for social interaction, social networks, relationship formation and meaningful activity with other young people. Often what young people want is simple - a space or place that is safe and secure where they can gather and meet friends, have some fun and have a sense of identity, belonging and purpose.
If such spaces do not exist young people tend to create or adapt their own. This can create problems, particularly if it is a public space used by others, or if in gathering in the public space young people become identified as causing trouble (such as hanging out in numbers, noise, graffiti, street drinking, anti-social behaviour, damage).
Communities have a responsibility to provide opportunities and spaces for young people who have a right, like all other community members, to meet together, socialise and interact in safe environment. Some local government authorities are working with government, communities, business and non-
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 19 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report government organisations to develop specific youth facilities that provide a safe environment to hang out, to learn, and socialise and interact with other young people. Headquarters (HQ) in Leederville is a high profile example of such a facility. There is a growing number of such facilities currently being investigated, planned or developed by LGAs throughout Western Australia.
Local governments increasingly recognise the vital role that public space and public places play in the social life of young people and in creating their identity, a sense of community and attachment to place for young people.
Some councils are also trying to ensure that their planning and design activities accommodate youth needs. This involves the planning, design and management of physical infrastructure, public space, parks, open green areas, entertainment commercial and shopping complexes, walking areas and public access pathways.
Another area in which local government authorities have become involved in recent years is in efforts to address and ‘place manage’ problems associated with young people’s presence in particular public places. This can include issues to do with graffiti management, vandalism, safety, use of shopping and commercial centres, and street present youth. A local example is the successful HYPE project which targets young people in shopping centres and other public places.
There are potential problems here for local governments. Place-based initiatives can have the effect of stigmatising and excluding groups of young people and/or failing to address the underlying causes of identified problems. A local example is the Northbridge Curfew Policy.
Participatory Governance Approaches Another approach taken by local government authorities to meet youth needs is to involve young people as citizens in local governance. Many local governments provide opportunities for young people to participate, through structures such as Youth Councils and Youth Advisory Councils (YACs). The purpose is to involve and engage young people in local government decisions that affect them and the communities in which they live. While these structures and processes aspire to give young people a say in local governance, there is some doubt about the extent to which this is achieved. Young people involved in YACs often report that while their views are sought, they seem to have little real impact on local governance.
Advocates for Community Interest Some recent work has identified the role local governments can play as advocates for the ‘community interest’. This role includes advocacy on behalf of young people in relation to issues outside of a local government mandate, advocacy action with other government authorities and non-government agencies.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 20 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 2.3 Demographic Profile of Young People & the Western Suburbs Unless otherwise indicated, statistics are taken from the 2001 Census publications from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
2.3.1 General Demographic Profile
Claremont Cottesloe Nedlands Mosman Peppermint Subiaco Perth Park Grove People aged 15 860 488 1,669 755 225 1,065 103,773 – 19 (no) People aged 15 9.8 6.9 7.8 9.6 14.6 6.8 5.6 – 19 (% pop) Median age 40 years 38 years 40 years 37 years 34 years 33 years 34 years Median $1,400- $1,400- $1,600- $1,200- $2,000 or $1,200- $800-$999 monthly $1,599 $1,599 $1,799 $1,399 more $1,399 housing loan repayments Median weekly $150-$199 $200-$249 $200-$249 $100-$149 $200-$249 $150- $100-$149 rent $199 Median weekly $400-$499 $500-$599 $400-$499 $300-$399 $500-$599 $400- $300-$399 individual $499 income Median weekly $1,200- $1,500- $1,500- $1,200- $1,500- $1,200- $800-$999 family income $1,499 $1,999 $1,999 $1,499 $1,999 $1,499 Median weekly $800-$999 $1,000- $1,200- $600-$699 $1,500- $800- $700-$799 household $1,199 $1,499 $1,999 $999 income Mean 2.2 persons 2.3 persons 2.7 persons 2.2 persons 2.7 persons 2 persons 2.6 persons household size
In general terms the Western Suburbs population is older and better off than the Perth metropolitan population as a whole. There is also a higher proportion of young people (15-19 yrs) than in the Perth metropolitan area as a whole. Although there are pockets of very high incomes, there are also pockets of lower incomes and greater disadvantage. Since 1996, the population has risen slightly in Subiaco (4%), Nedlands (2.2%) and Mosman Park (5.9%) and fallen slightly in Claremont (0.8%), Cottesloe (1.6%) and Peppermint Grove (5.4%). In the Perth metropolitan area the population increased by 7.5% in the same period.
2.3.2 Youth Population In 2001, the youth population (15 – 19 years) comprised 9.3% of the total population. By LGA the proportion ranged from 6.8% in Subiaco to 14.6% in Peppermint Grove. In general terms the number of children and young people (5-24 yrs) in the Western Suburbs has remained relatively stable over the period 1991 to 2001. The same population in Perth, as a whole, has risen slightly. It is expected that overall the proportion of young people will decrease slightly in coming years. The 2001 Census shows a pattern of increasing numbers of young people from 5-19 years, then a reduction up to the age of 25 in four of the six LGAs. In general, the population of people between the ages of 19-24 is declining in the Western Suburbs with the exception of Subiaco. The suburbs in which
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 21 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report the decrease is more noticeable, or in contrast to general population growth are Mosman Park, Nedlands and Cottesloe. The overall WESROC figures show this reduction only in the 2001 Census. The reason for this is not clear. Nationally and locally the population is ageing. While the number of young people aged 15-19 is expected to stay reasonably stable over the next 20 or so years, as a proportion of the population it will decline noticeably as the numbers in older age groups increase.
NATIONAL POPULATION TRENDS
Units 1901 1947 1971 2002 2021 2051 2101
Total population '000 3,773.8 7,579.4 13,067.3 19,662.8 23,368.4 26,421.5 26,355.7 Proportion of population aged (years) 0-14 % 35.1 25.1 28.7 20.3 16.1 14.0 13.8 15-64 % 60.8 66.8 63.0 67.1 64.9 58.9 57.2 65-84 % 3.9 7.7 7.8 11.2 16.5 21.1 22.0 85 and over % 0.1 0.4 0.5 1.4 2.5 6.0 6.9 Males per 100 females no. 110.1 100.4 101.1 98.4 98.7 98.7 99.4 Median age years 22.5 30.7 27.5 35.9 41.2 46.8 47.5 Proportion living in capital % 36.8 51.2 63.2 63.9 64.5 66.6 n.a. cities
Source: ABS 2004 Population projections 1301.0 - 2004 As the table and graph show, we might reasonably expect the proportion of young people to decline by up to 25% over the next 50 years as the over 65
population grows. While young people will remain visible as a group in the community, the stretching of the years of ‘youth’ and increasing pressure on the expenditure of public funds on the ageing groups will put young people under further pressure. It is also possible that this pressure will lead to greater levels of conflict as competition for public resources grows.
While these are national estimates, the general picture at a local level is unlikely to be grossly different with youth numbers decreasing as a
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 22 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report proportion and the older groups increasing. It might also be the case that as property values increase, the numbers of families with younger children reduces further, making these changes even more marked over time. There is a slight suggestion of the development of this trend in the Region which has been observed in other places.
In regard to fears of safety, police crime statistics show monthly assault numbers for the general population have a slight upwards trend across the area over the past three years.7 They are presented here for indicative purposes to show general trends. The trend line has risen in two locations (Nedlands and Claremont), remained flat in two (Mosman Park and Cottesloe), and fallen in two (Subiaco and Peppermint Grove). Between 2001 and 2003, some 37% of assaults in the region were reported in the Subiaco area.8 Figures by LGA are shown in the Appendices.
Total Assaults WESROC 2001 - 2003
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 0 0 -02 0 r-0 n-0 ul r-0 ul-03 t-0 Jul-01 J ct-0 J Jan- Ap Oct- Ja Apr-02 O Jan- Ap Oc
7 Information from the W.A. Police website http://www.police.wa.gov.au/AboutUs/AboutUs.asp?SearchCrimeStatistics 8 They are presented here for indicative purposes only to show general trends. The original reports are for ‘suburbs’ and therefore are not necessarily representative of the position for the like named LGA. Figures reported for Subiaco aggregate figures from the suburbs of Subiaco, Daglish, Shenton Park, Jolimont and Crawley.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 23 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 2.3.2.1 Unemployment and Participation In this relatively well-resourced and highly educated area, employment and participation in education and the labour market is high.
Youth Unemployment 2001 14 . 0
12 . 0 15-19 20-24 10 . 0
8.0 % 6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0 Peppermint Cot t esloe Nedlands Claremont Mosman Subiaco WESROC Pert h Gr ove Park
The unemployment figures indicate that the proportion of unemployed younger people 15- 19 years in the Western Suburbs is generally lower than in the Perth metropolitan area. The proportion of young people aged 20- 24 is also somewhat lower, with the exception of Mosman Park which is significantly higher than other Western Suburbs and the Perth metropolitan area in general.
This graph shows the number of young people in the Western Suburbs who are represented in neither education participation nor labour market statistics.
Disengaged Youth 15 to 19 yrs
5.0 % 15 - 19 y r s n o t i n 4.5 education or the 4.0 labour market. 3.5
3.0
2.5
% ` 2.0
1. 5 1. 0
0.5 0.0 Claremont Nedlands Peppermint Mosman Subiaco Cot t esloe WESROC Pert h WA Gr ov e Park
This indicator is an important measure of disengagement from participation in important civil structures. The graph shows that in the Western Suburbs levels of disengagement are low in comparison to those in Perth and WA as a whole. It is important to note, however, that WA state figures are rather high by national comparison and any ‘lost’ young people in well resourced communities should be a cause for concern. 2.3.2.2 Disability The following table shows an estimate of the number of young people with disabilities by suburb and disability type. The figures include only people aged 5 to 24. While raw estimated numbers vary, the proportion of total
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 24 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report population in the area with a disability varies between 6% (Peppermint Grove) and 8.7% (Subiaco). Detailed figures are provided as an Appendix.
Total Pop. Physical Sensory ABI Intellectual Psych TOTAL 5 - 24 Claremont 119 17 8 10 30 184 2,601
Cottesloe 100 14 6 8 24 152 1,741
Mosman Park 105 14 9 8 27 162 2,226
Nedlands 336 50 21 31 81 519 6,135
P. Grove 23 4 2 2 5 36 596
Subiaco 226 27 17 14 55 339 4,249
TOTAL 909 126 63 73 222 1393 17,548
2.4 Findings of Consultations with Young People In this section the findings of consultations with young people are discussed. A variety of strategies were used to consult with young people. Recruitment, training and discussions with eleven young local residents who were Youth Project Advisors to the Study. Distribution of a survey on paper and electronically. Three hundred and seventeen valid responses were received. Forum with Youth Advisory Council members. Face to face consultation with more than 200 young people through interviews, forums, focus groups, meetings, street interviews, and informal discussion at venues and sites such as street parties, events, skate parks, gathering places, community events. Combined, these contacts represent about 10% of the 15 to 19 year old population of the WESROC region.
2.4.1 Survey Results From the distribution of 500 paper survey forms and the web based format, some 350 surveys were returned with 317 able to be used. Some surveys were significantly incomplete or had other problems which compromised the data. As a result they were excluded from analysis. Caution should be exercised in interpreting specific results of the survey especially in the smaller LGAs, due to the small sample sizes. Overall projections (across the region) can be made with more confidence.
In considering assessments of worth (e.g. poor, good, OK services), even where ‘good’ responses are high the proportion of those with concerns might still be an issue worthy of consideration. It is also important to note that it is never possible to be entirely confident about the meaning a respondent attributes to their answers. For example ‘good’ could mean either of high quality or very important and ‘OK’ could mean acceptable or barely
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 25 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report
Age Profile of Survey Respondents
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
acceptable. The results are therefore guides to issues and need to be read alongside the more discursive material provided by the consultations.
2.4.2 Quantitative Responses
2.4.2.1 Q. 1 & 2 Respondents In all Western Suburbs there were more female than male respondents, with 59% female and 41% male for all areas combined. The median age for all suburbs was 16 years. Claremont had the highest median age (17 years) and Mosman Park the lowest (15 years).
2.4.2.2 Q. 3 Location Although the locality classifications focussed on the six WESROC LGAs and those from outside, there were a significant number of responses from the Cambridge area. These have also been classified as a useful neighbouring area profile. Two hundred and forty seven or 80% of those surveyed live in the WESROC local government areas.
There is little variation across LGA areas and as a result individual analyses have not always been provided. However all results have been segmented and reported by LGA. Responses for each area are roughly in proportion to the size of the target populations, Nedlands generating the most responses and Peppermint Grove the fewest.
2.4.2.3 Q. 5, 6 & 7 Computer Use Nearly half (48%) of the respondents have access to a computer at home, nearly 20% access a computer at school library for computer access and less than 10% used a friend’s computer. Very few use an internet café.
Nearly 40% access the internet at home and 22% access the internet at school. This suggests relatively easier access to the internet at home than at school. Surprisingly 50% of all respondents access the internet once a week or less and only 10% access it daily.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 26 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report
This suggests that internet or email communication is not a reliable way of getting information to young people. This was also the experience of the research process.
The 2001 Census asked people if they had used a computer at home on the preceding week. The results shows home computer usage across the Western Suburbs to exceed 50% and that young people under 19 years make up between 23% and 47% of that usage. As those under 19 years comprise 28% of the population of the region, overall this is higher than one might expect. 2.4.2.4 Q. 8 Ethnicity Nearly 62% of respondents identified their ethnic origin as Australian, nearly 8% identified as English. There were a total of 6.3% identified as of Asian origin and there were no Indigenous respondents. At the time of the 2001 Census only 51 Indigenous young people were reported as usually resident in the WESROC area.
2.4.2.5 Q. 9Home Situation Of the 317 respondents, 198 live with both parents, 42 live with a parent in another situation, only 16 live alone or in shared accommodation.
2.4.2.6 Q. 10 Education/occupation Of the 330 responses received to this question (multiple answers were possible), 58.7% (186) were in high school, 17% (54) in other education or training, 16% (52) work part-time. Less than 3% (9) were working full-time, 3% (10) were caring for their own child/children. Only 0.9% (3) were unemployed.
2.4.2.7 Q. 11 & 12 Knowledge of Local Government Responses to the questions about knowledge of the local government area in which respondents lived were often not answered when the survey was self administered. Where the survey was administered by an interviewer, some correct answers were given. Many of the respondents who had indicated they knew which area they lived in, answered the following question “If yes, which is it”, in such as way as to indicate they did not in fact know the answer. Answers often included titles which were not the names of local government areas e.g. “liberal”, “democrat”.
No firm conclusions can be drawn from this information, except perhaps that young people have a very poor understanding of the names and boundaries of local governments. As a consequence, no quantitative analysis of the answers to questions 11 and 12 are presented.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 27 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 2.4.2.8 Q. 13 Use of Local Government Facilities Across all facilities levels of knowledge were high, with about two thirds of respondents knowing the facilities exist.
Parks 179 Libraries 123 Pools 113 Skate parks 54 Recreation centres 51 Golf courses 32 Museums 27 YAC 25
These responses support the importance of public open spaces. Relatively high ranking of library use contrasts with relatively low ranking of access to the internet at libraries (4%).
2.4.2.9 Q. 14, 15, 16 & 17 Activities Those activities participated in by half or more respondents were the following.
Hang out with friends at home 245 Hang out with friends in public places 240 Go to the movies 210 Play sport or physical activity 169 Go shopping 164 Eat out (fast food/café/restaurant) 162 Parks, skate parks, ovals etc 149
Most do these things at least two or three times per week with friends, compared to the majority doing these things, with family, once a week or less. Most of the participation in these activities takes place in the Western Suburbs or in a combination of local and other venues. Hanging out with friends both at home and in public takes place in both Western Suburbs and other locations, 63% of Western Suburbs responses in both cases. Of those living in the region, 55% attend movies in both locations, while less than 20% only go locally.
Sport and physical activity is more locally focussed with 50% of respondents playing and exercising only within the region.
While 62% of respondents shop in both locations, only 23% spend their money solely in the region.
Eating out takes place both within and outside the region (58%) with 33% staying solely within the region. Mosman Park respondents were the exception with the majority staying local. The use of public space also takes young people outside the region with 59% seeking facilities elsewhere as well as locally and 32% staying local.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 28 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report There were very few local variations to this pattern. In sport and physical activity, Claremont respondents were more balanced in their use of local and out of region facilities than overall, and more tend to work outside the region than elsewhere. Mosman Park respondents were often more balanced between local and out of region activities. For all the more popular activities, except going to the movies, Western Suburbs residents reported activity solely outside the region as the lowest category of response. For movie going this comprised 26% of responses.
Very low numbers of respondents (less than 20%) take part in religious, youth or community groups, voluntary work or political activities. Of note is the fact that that almost 50% of respondents taking part in voluntary activities lived in Nedlands 2.4.2.10 Q. 18 Western Suburbs Visitors The most common reasons, for those that live outside of the Western Suburbs, for coming into the area were that they have friends that live there or because they like the things they can do in the area including the beach.
Friends live in this area 134 Its where the things I like doing are 82 Near the beach 73
The least common reasons (in ascending order) for young people to come from other areas were the following. This feels safer than other places (18). Don’t get hassled (24). Don’t like other areas (Northbridge/Freo) (28). Cheap things to do (31). Good facilities (38).
2.4.2.11 Q. 19 When Activities Take Place The majority of Western Suburbs respondents reported taking part in social and leisure activities at the week-end (70%). Week day activities (18%) and night-time (12%) were much less common. Non Western Suburbs residents also participate in local activities mostly at week-ends (74%) but a higher proportion participate on week-days (21%) and fewer at night time (4%). This difference in week-day participation might be due to after school activities by non-residents.
2.4.2.12 Q. 20 Sources of Information about Western Suburbs From friends (24%). Mainstream media - TV (11.2%), Radio (10.5%), "POST" (9.1%), Western Suburbs Weekly (8.3%), West Australian (5.9%) a total of 45%. Family (12.9%). School, Uni, TAFE a total of 6.6%. Posters & flyers (6%).
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 29 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Internet (2.9%).
Friends are the most common source of events based information. Of the mainstream media which rated most highly as a group, TV is the most used source of information about what is going on, with Radio and local newspapers close behind. Family also rates well, and as a single category is ahead of any single media outlet. The alternative media, Xpress, Hype and Zebra, as a group were rated very low (2.7%), as did the internet .
2.4.2.13 Q. 21 Sources of Information about Advice & Services Friends (28%). Mainstream media - TV (9.4%), "POST" (7.1%), Radio (7%), Western Suburbs Weekly (5%), West Australian (3.6%), a total of 35.1%. Family (13.1%). School, Uni, TAFE (11.4%). Posters & flyers (8.6%). Internet (4.7%).
There are small differences in sources of information about advice and services. School, Uni or Tafe scored twice as well here (11.4% as against 6.6% for general information). Again, friends rated highest as a single source with family in next place. Mainstream media was highest as a group but by a lesser margin than for general information. Again the alternative media scored poorly. In both categories local print media scored twice as well as the West Australian.
It has been suggested that family friends and mainstream media are really all expressions of the same information sources, simply reflecting different access routes. In other words friends and family get their information from the mainstream media and pass it on. While this is likely to be the case in some instances, it could undervalue the importance of family and friends as trusted sources, especially in the case of advice and services, to see them simply as conduits.
2.4.2.14 Q. 22 Quality of Local Services
For WESROC respondents as a whole, local services rated from best to worst in the following order ranked by the per cent of respondents categorising services as ‘Good’. Public transport (50%). Shops (40%). General entertainment (34%). Organised activities (29%). Public recreation (28%). Hassle free places to hang out (27%). All age (alcohol free) entertainment (25%). Health services for young people (15%). Youth centres, youth workers (14%).
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 30 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Special services e.g. drug and alcohol, sexual health, mental health, housing etc.(13%).
Special youth focussed services fared most poorly. The apparent contradiction in the responses to public transport here, and concerns about it voiced in the consultations, might relate more to its value in the lives of young people than to an absolute measure of its success and appropriateness. It is important to note that while 50% of respondents rated public transport as ‘good’, the other 50% did not.
While the responses across individual LGAs were fairly consistent, there were some differences which are worth reporting. Public transport - no significant differences between LGAs, all rated above 74% good or OK. Public recreation - no major differences, the lowest ranking for good or OK was 71% in Mosman Park. Youth health services - poor across all LGAs, lowest ranking of good or OK was Peppermint Grove at 41%. All age entertainment - Mosman Park significantly lower than others at 41%. General entertainment - Peppermint Grove significantly lower at 64% good or OK. Youth centre/workers - Results unclear but not positive. Special services (e.g. drug and alcohol, sexual health, mental health, housing etc) - all poor, highest good or OK was Cottesloe at 55% and the lowest was 36% in Subiaco. Hassle free places to hang out - OK across LGAs but also high rankings for poor/not available eg 29% in Claremont. Shops that meet your needs - Mosman Park significantly lower than other LGAs at 61%. Organised activities - Mosman Park significantly lower than others at 61%.
2.4.2.15 Q. 23 How Do You Get Around the Western Suburbs?
The form of travel around the Western Suburbs, reported to be most often used was public transport (46%). Walking (17%) and getting a lift (15%) were the next most commonly used. All other forms of transport are much less popular.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 31 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 2.4.2.16 Q. 24 What Stops You Doing New Things?
The principle barriers cited by respondents were the following. Friends not interested 125 Cost 124 No facilities near me 105 No time 102 No Information 93
There are few major variations suburb by suburb.
2.4.3 Qualitative Responses
The following are summaries of the qualitative responses collected through the survey. They have been categorised though analysis of key words and grouped and summarised here for the purposes of aggregating responses. Remarks can be reported in more than one category and respondents made between 0-3 responses to each question. Totals will not equal the number of respondents and comparisons should not be made between LGA areas on the basis on numbers. These results should be seen as indicative of the concerns of young people not as an absolute index of relative importance or priority. Detailed findings are shown in an Appendix to this Report.
Proportions of responses greater than 10% are shown in red and those greater than 5% in blue.
2.4.3.1 Q. 4 Places Where Young People Feel Unsafe Safety is a high concern issue for young people in the Western Suburbs with 23% males and 49% females indicating a feeling of insecurity somewhere in the Western Suburbs, even if the location was not stated.
As can be seen from the detailed responses in Section 9, there was a wide variety of views about safety, where it is threatened or felt to be threatened. Public places such as trains, buses and train stations (29), parks (14) and places with poor lighting (7) are locations for feelings of unease. Specific locations were also mentioned with those scoring highly including Claremont (32), Cottesloe (12) and Subiaco and Mosman Park (both 11).
2.4.3.2 Q. 25 Things of Most Concern Responses to this question seem to include comments both about worries and about important things.
It is not surprising after the responses to Q 4 above, that in overall numbers of responses, safety (78) tops the list. Globally, the following come in order of numbers of responses received. Lack of facilities and services (including activity space, events, public facilities such as pools and parks, information and entertainment) (69). Public transport (40). Money and cost issues (33).
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 32 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Youth specific facilities and services (32). Personal issues (including social and peer pressures, drugs and alcohol, school and education and boredom) (32).
Below is a summary table of responses by LGA. Response rates above 10% are shown in red. Percentage figures are proportions of all responses LGA. There is also a column showing the aggregated result. While this is useful it does tend to mask high levels of concern about particular issues which do show up in the LGA specific response levels. Response rates in the WESROC aggregated figures over 5% are shown in blue.
For WESROC respondents overall, safety was the most often stated concern (21%), followed by personal issues which include pressure and expectations from peers, parents schools and others (9%), money and boredom (6.5%) and a group of issues including spaces to hang out, drugs and alcohol, school and education (5.3%).
Differences in patterns of responses between LGA areas should be viewed with some caution for reasons explained earlier. While aggregated responses can yield useful conclusions, it is more risky to base firm conclusions on individual localities. They should perhaps be most securely used as indicators of issues worthy of further examination.
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Q 25. Things of Most Concern Grove Grove Subiaco Non WS Non Cottesloe Nedlands Nedlands WESROC WESROC Claremont Cambridge Peppermint
Park Mosman Number of Comments Received N=44 N=32 N=54 N=34 N=11 N=72 N=247 N=19 N=24 Category % % % % % % % % % Safety and crime 29.5 21.9 29.6 23.5 11.1 21.5 21.1 16.7 Lack of facilities or services municipal facilities and services 2.3 7.4 2.9 5.6 4.0 15.8 4.2 entertainment facilities 9.4 1.9 9.1 6.9 4.0 4.2 youth specific facilities or services 9.1 3.1 3.7 5.9 3.6 5.3 shopping 4.5 3.7 8.8 2.8 recreation 4.5 3.1 1.9 5.9 1.4 2.8 5.3 sports 1.9 2.9 9.1 1.2 lack of places to hang or chill 4.5 1.9 2.9 12.5 5.3 5.3 4.2 Public transport general concerns 2.3 12.5 7.4 9.1 4.0 specific concerns transport 4.5 3.1 5.9 4.2 3.2 10.5 16.7 Money or cost related concerns 9.1 3.1 1.9 18.2 11.1 6.5 5.3 16.7 Personal issues 2.3 12.5 9.3 5.9 15.3 9.3 Drugs or alcohol 12.5 3.7 8.8 9.1 4.2 5.3 4.2 School or education 4.5 3.1 5.6 5.9 6.9 5.3 Employment and jobs 2.3 3.7 2.8 2.0 Nothing to do, nowhere to go, boredom 3.1 7.4 8.8 11.1 6.5 5.3 8.3 Nothing to do in school and public holidays 6.8 6.3 9.1 2.8 3.2 8.3 Physical environment 4.5 1.4 1.2 Harassment general harassment 1.4 0.4 5.3 4.2 harassment by police or transport guards 2.3 3.1 2.9 9.1 1.6 5.3 discrimination 0.0 5.3 4.2 (negative) image of youth 2.3 1.9 5.9 1.4 2.0 Other 4.5 3.1 5.6 2.9 27.3 4.0 10.5 8.3
It is interesting to note both high and low numbers of responses against an issue, while bearing in mind the cautions which should be exercised. For example: safety concerns are lowest in Peppermint Grove and Subiaco, which actually has the highest although reducing rate of assaults; the high levels of safety concern in Claremont, which has a rising but low assault rate, and Mosman Park which has a falling rate, are likely driven by perceptions and are related to train station comments; public transport comments are high in Cottesloe, as are concerns about social pressures and drugs and alcohol. This could perhaps be related to the beach and lifestyle focus of the area;
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 34 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report public transport commentary is also high among those from outside the area; and concerns around money and cost issues are highest in Subiaco which has some pockets of disadvantage, those from outside the Western Suburbs and surprisingly, in view of the household income data provided through the 2001 Census, from Peppermint Grove.
2.4.3.3 Q. 26 Most Important Facilities/services The table in Section 9 shows the largest overall numbers of responses focus on public transport, facilities and services (provided by local government) shopping, general facilities and services and youth facilities.
Q 26. Most Important Facilities or Services
Claremont Cottesloe Park Mosman Nedlands Peppermint Grove Subiaco WESROC No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Transport 14 9 9 25 5 22 84 Parks, Beach. Public Open space 4 10 16 17 3 10 60 Recreation Entertainment 8 1 24 9 1 13 56 Youth Specific Services or Facilities (YAC, PCYC etc) 1 1 4 3 0 8 17 Total Responses 27 21 53 54 9 53 217
Levels of importance attached to particular items are likely to reflect things which are available, rather than those which would be important if they were available. For example, the low level of response to youth specific items, which contrasts with comments about their importance from the consultations, reflects the non-availability of those facilities rather than their low significance. On the other hand the importance of open space and public transport is a common theme throughout all the research data.
2.4.3.4 Q. 27 Facilities/Services to be Improved or Created Responses to this question require careful consideration as they present a picture which can be interpreted in different ways. There was a high number of responses suggesting the need for improvement in both entertainment and recreation facilities (covering things from movies to sports venues). There is also a high number addressing the need to improve or create youth specific services and facilities including organisations (PCYC, YAC) health services, ‘hang out’ spaces, under-age activities and venues and the need for consultation and involvement.
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Q 27. Facilities/Services You Would Most Like to See Improved/Created
Claremont Cottesloe Park Mosman Nedlands Peppermint Grove Subiaco WESROC No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Total Responses 41 30 58 41 14 48 232 Entertainment & Recreation 15 7 22 10 8 27 89 Youth Specific Services or Facilities (YAC, PCYC. Health, hang out space, consultation, activities etc) 10 12 12 15 1 13 63 Transport 5 7 9 5 1 4 31 Parks, Beach. Public Open space 2 3 5 5 3 1 19 Public Facilities and Local Environment (toilets, clean up etc) 4 1 8 3 1 2 19 Safety 5 0 2 3 0 1 11
Given the importance attached to some issues which are not highly represented here (safety) it is not clear whether young people do not want them improved, think they cannot or will not be improved, or simply see them Deleted: as outside the sphere of influence of local government. Additionally, it is possible that safety was not seen as a ‘facility or service’ and therefore not an appropriate response to this question.
The importance of entertainment and recreation facilities and services and the crucial role of youth specific facilities and youth friendly services is also a theme which relates to the importance of civic engagement and stake-holding for young people in the area.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 36 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 2.4.3.5 Q. 28 Three Things Local Councils Can Do
Q 28. Things Councils Could Do to Make Things Better
Claremont Claremont Cottesloe Park Mosman Nedlands Peppermint Grove Subiaco WESROC Cambridge WS Non Number of Comments Received N=39 N=19 N=56 N=34 N=12 N=67 N=225 N=29 N=16 Category % % % % % % % % % Safety and crime 12.8 21.1 1.8 2.9 7.5 7.1 12.5 Municipal facilities and services 12.8 10.5 5.4 3.0 5.3 6.9 Entertainment facilities/events 23.1 21.1 12.5 8.8 13.4 14.2 3.4 6.3 Youth specific facilities or services 15.4 21.1 19.6 2.9 17.9 15.1 17.2 12.5 Shopping 2.6 5.4 5.9 8.3 3.0 4.0 13.8 Food/cafes/restaurants 1.5 0.4 Recreation 7.7 8.9 2.9 4.0 6.9 Sports 1.8 16.7 4.5 2.7 10.3 6.3 Lack of places to hang or chill out 3.6 8.8 6.0 4.0 3.4 Health and related 5.1 1.5 1.3 Parks 1.8 6.0 2.2 10.3 6.3 Pools 1.8 6.0 2.2 Libraries 2.9 1.5 0.9 3.4 Public transport 10.3 7.1 17.6 16.7 1.5 7.6 6.9 18.8 Other transport related 2.6 5.3 0.9 Money or cost related concerns 5.4 2.9 1.5 2.2 3.4 Personal issues 0.0 Youth involvement/participation 5.1 15.8 5.4 29.4 25.0 11.9 12.9 3.4 6.3 Employment and jobs 2.6 1.8 5.9 8.3 3.0 3.1 Nothing to do in school and public holidays 0.0 6.3 Physical environment 3.6 2.9 1.3 6.9 Harassment by police or transport guards 8.3 0.4 (negative) Image of youth 2.9 3.0 0.4 12.5 Other 5.3 8.9 2.9 16.7 7.5 4.0 3.4 12.5
The messages for local government from these responses are reasonably clear and are consistent with much of the other research data (a greater that 10% rating is shown in red). The issues which stand out as targets for consideration are (in order of proportion of response by WESROC residents) youth specific facilities and services, entertainment, youth involvement and participation, public transport, safety and mainstream local municipal facilities. There are some local priorities which Councils might wish to address but our view is that this should be done in a regional context.
2.4.4 Consultations with Youth Advisory Council Members
A Forum was held for members of the various Youth Advisory Councils across the Region. Fifteen young people attended. Issues raised include those shown in the table below.
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Process Programs and activities Facilities Sources of information Unstructured accessible well-promoted events with Public Open Space Past surveys/research less adult input Barbeques esp. foreshore ABS Street events Chess boards in public open spaces All ages events Parks- place not to be asked to move on FREE Consultation processes Films for young people More cycle ways for skaters, cyclists, scooters) to facilities or areas Hold forums include young people in consultation and Dancing workshops/ drumming, planning Pools, billiards, chess club. Public transport Consult via community groups Workshops at youth centre life Increase security staff at stations Engage High Schools Break dancing, hip hop, funk, belly dancing, soul, Public transport access to the beach Formation of a representative committee Latin, Shamanists and Junkadelic Board (touch screens) for information Consult re formation of policies Regular underage events, discos, social events, Increase number of routes Engage with existing activities evening events Public transport safety education Respond to resident feed back Education programs re safety and Police Increase adult awareness of youth needs involvements in positive events Facilities City Farm Information processes Youth friendly libraries Youth Information Strategy Counselling support services Î Youth newspaper Skate parks (consult/ plan by young people) Î YAC input into Council newsletters More shops Î Information pathways to link the youth of Recreation centre WESROC area to what they want to do and Cinemas where to go Interactive public art Î Shared Youth page in local press. Advertise events Youth Centre Î web Convert the old Claremont train station building into a youth run, youth based Î flyers centre with music, pool tables, similar to HQ, sprinkle with ‘Youth dust’ Î mail outs chillout tent with service information Î West Australian Services Young people health group Counselling support services Health services for young people Î confidential Î welcoming to teens Î flexibility, more relaxed
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2.4.5 Interviews and Discussions with Young People Introduction In addition to the data collected through the survey and the meeting with YAC representatives, a wide range of consultative conversations were held with young people in both formal and informal settings across the region over the period of the Study.
While a number of focus group meetings were held using organisations as a gathering point, the vast majority of consultations were deliberately informal street-based conversations. Young research assistants were employed to undertake some of the survey work and also to engage young people in discussions about issues which concerned them and which would inform the research.
The consultants also met with numerous young people across the region and asked their views about the primary issues which arose in the course of the research. It is estimated that more than 200 young people took part in these conversations over a period of months, in addition to the 300 who responded to the survey. Later in the Study conversations included discussion of some of the trends which emerged from the survey to assess the validity of the survey data. The following is necessarily a summary of those conversations. A presentation of these issues by Local Government area can be found in Appendix 3.
Young people orient to the Western Suburbs as a whole and do not seek every service or facility in every location. The importance of a regional/sub-regional approach to the delivery of youth services in the Western Suburbs is supported by the findings and reinforced by the primacy of the public transport system in their comments. Many young people particularly those over 14 or15 appear to be highly mobile across the Western Suburbs as a whole and as well as orienting to their home, local street and neighbourhood they also move widely across the region and across LGA boundaries, often relying on a combination of public transport, parents/families vehicles and walking/skating to get around. There are other groups of young people who appear to rarely move beyond their local home/ neighbourhood area. These include younger children and private school boarders. Access to public transport is vital to their ability to participate in recreation, social life, entertainment, activities, education, work and their communities. Although public transport is relatively accessible, young people feel strongly that the inadequacy of public transport (lack of service at certain times, lack of north-south routes, cost, safety at some train stations) hinders their capacity to participate in the community as they would like. Health issues such as sexual and reproductive health, AOD issues, mental health concerns and access to bulk billing are important concerns for
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 39 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report young people who are concerned about their lack of access to services they need. Young people report that they want the same things as the rest of the community but they also need specific delivery strategies. Their concerns span issues such as access to public infrastructure (housing, transport, leisure facilities, libraries and public space), freedom to move unhindered about their neighbourhoods, personal safety and opportunities for participation in governance. Participation. Young people want to participate in events, activities specifically designed for them, but they also want to participate in events planned for the community as a whole or have those events cater for and address youth needs. Social Events and Activities. Young people want to have fun and view social events and activities and entertainment and recreation as an important way to interact with others and address problems such as social isolation. Involvement. Young people want to be part of finding solutions to issues affecting them and their communities and they want to be actively consulted and involved in finding ways to address their concerns and those of their community. Genuine Participation. Young people don’t want more rhetoric and glossy policy statements from governments. They want to be taken seriously, listened to, to have their ideas taken seriously, to see tangible things being done that directly benefit young people and to be able to participate, if they wish in decisions that affect their lives and that of their communities. They feel that governments and communities don’t act on young people’s concerns and aspirations. They want to see governments and community leaders doing things that make their lives better, not more difficult. Private schools do not appear to be active participants in the broad network of youth services despite their access to resources and facilities and the large number of young people they bring into the area. Environment. Young people value highly the attractive physical and natural environment through the Western Suburbs. This includes parks, open green spaces, river, beaches, bushland, green belts and areas with conservation values such as public land, beaches, and places like Lake Claremont. Feelings of safety and security are important concerns for some young people in the Western Suburbs. There are some places where some groups of young people feel unsafe. Some young women feel unsafe around the Claremont area, particularly after dark. Some young people report feeling unsafe around train stations. However, for many young people from outside of the area, it is a feeling of safety that attracts them to the Western Suburbs compared to places like Perth, Northbridge and Fremantle where they report feeling less safe, mentioning concerns about being harassed by other young people, by police and/or security guards.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 40 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report For many young people the proximity and attractiveness of a range of attractions, venues and facilities and services is valued, many are accessible through public transport (although in a limited way) makes the Western Suburbs an attractive place for young people. This includes the physical features (river, beaches, train line ), the built environment (hotels, cafes, restaurants, nightlife, shops), facilities (skate parks, sporting venues, recreational venues) and particularly the public open spaces where they can ‘hang out’ without getting hassled (parks, beach, river, public open space). Many young people point out that there are a variety of public spaces across the region where they can hang out without having to spend money or where they are not always hassled or moved on. These include parks, riverfront, beachfront and beaches, Claremont shopping precinct, Hungry Jacks, and private and public schools. However, a number of young people report that tensions do arise from time to time over their access to public space such as public facilities (skate parks, parks), streets, school grounds and facilities (both private and public school grounds on weekends and after hours) and train stations. Young people express concern about the lack of low cost social and entertainment options for young people aged under 15. Young people rely heavily on word of mouth (friends, peers, acquaintances, family) to find out about things that are happening. Sources of information are varied and depend on many factors such as age, friendship networks, parental contacts but include mobile phone text messages. The web/internet is important to them as away to communicate with friends and to locate things they want (music, games, clips, information sites) but not necessarily as a source of information about local and regional events and activities. Many young people are concerned about the pressures and expectations placed on them and other young people by parents, family and friends and particularly schools in relation to education. They are concerned about the impact these pressures are having on young people’s health and wellbeing, for example in terms of links with depression, anxiety, mental health problems, and alcohol and drug use. These concerns connect with the comments of young people about the gaps in health service availability and the high levels of concern in Q 25 about personal pressures, (ranked Deleted: third rd th 3 in importance) boredom (4 ) and drug and alcohol and school pressures Deleted: (5th) suggest an important focus for future development. Many young people recognise that they live a privileged life in the Western Suburbs (affluence, facilities, environment, access to things) compared to many other young people. They do, however, express concern about other people who may not have the same opportunities and privileges.
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2.5 Consultation with Agencies & Service Providers
This section discusses issues identified through consultation with service providers, youth workers, representatives of government and non-government agencies, representatives of agencies and groups who work with and for young people and members of community and voluntary organisations. A list of those consulted can be found in the Appendices.
This aspect of the Study, which included focus groups, forums and interviews resulted in the identification of the following issues and strategies for LGAs. Young people's needs are as broad and diverse as individual young people are and it is difficult to identify specific or particular issues that impact on all young people. Service providers consistently speak about the heterogeneity and diversity of youth needs and emphasise the importance of local government recognising that different groups and categories of young people and different age groups have different needs. Many young people appear unaware of the services available to them. Service providers and others who work with young people call for the development of more coordinated, region-wide and effective strategies for communicating with young people about events, services, facilities and events. In particular, they identify the need for strategies that involve young people in developing strategies to communicate with other young people. The Western Suburbs is an affluent and well resourced area with a high quality environment and infrastructure for young people. Young people benefit from that, compared to youth in many other areas. As one service provider said: Life is just a bit easier for young people there. Like young people service providers/adults identify the need for improved public transport, particularly bus routes. Issues include: - lack of bus services on Sunday; - no late bus services; - lack of public transport options and routes to meet youth needs; - cost of public transport; - safety at train stations; and - bus transport routes across the Western Suburbs north and south and away from the main roads are generally poor and make it difficult for young people to get around unless travelling on the main bus and train routes. A number of service providers believe that Western Suburbs communities, including LGAs have tended not to accord high priority to the needs of youth. - Community attitudes towards youth are still seen to be largely negative, in the sense that many people see young people primarily as a ‘problem’.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 42 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report - Although the Western Suburbs is affluent and well resourced in terms of services, facilities and infrastructure young people’s needs have often been overlooked. - Governments and non- government organisations do not see the Western Suburbs as a high priority for their services. Rather they tend to orient towards outer metropolitan areas and areas where there is a higher need for youth programs and services. Service providers/adults identify that the pressures and expectations on many young people are substantial, particularly pressures and expectations resulting from schools (private schools mentioned frequently but not exclusively), education and parents and family. There are groups of young people whose needs tend to be overlooked in the Western Suburbs and who tend to be somewhat hidden, even though their numbers may be relatively small e.g. youth with a disability, young people and families with limited income, gay and lesbian youth, young people in the private rental market, Indigenous youth, youth from ethnic and CALD backgrounds. LGAs are seen to have not adequately recognised and catered for the particular needs of these groups of young people. For example disability providers are concerned about the lack of recreational options and opportunities for young people with a disability and believe that LGAs in the Western Suburbs could and should be doing more to cater for young people with disabilities. Concerns were raised about the lack of ‘youth friendly’ medical and health services throughout the region. Issues include: - lack of access to youth friendly bulk billing GP’s; - concerns about confidentiality for youth visiting GP’s; and - lack of assistance with sexual and reproductive health. Some service providers point to a lack of youth specific facilities and infrastructure across the Western Suburbs Region (other than skate parks) although they acknowledge that the region is well resourced in natural environment attractions (beaches, riverfront, open spaces, green spaces, parks) used by young people and by sporting facilities, and that some young people access youth facilities outside the region such as HQ, Cambridge Centre. A small number of service providers express concern about the lack of affordable housing for young people in the Western Suburbs (those not living with family/parents) in the public and social housing markets, the private rental market and for those young people seeking to own their own home. A number of service providers/adults identify the negative impact of some government policies on young people e.g. HECS fees, mutual obligation, public transport costs. Service providers/adults point to a number of particular features of youth culture in the Western Suburbs including: - wide acceptance of ‘social’ alcohol use among young people aged 13-14 upwards; - extensive ‘party’ scene; and - high levels of disposable income.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 43 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 2.6 Summary of Findings The literature identifies a tendency to consider all young people as a single group with the same needs. Their needs are very different, both within the same age group and across age groups and change over time. There has been a focus on sport and recreation facilities which does not meet the needs of all young people.
Roles for young people in local authorities can be direct or indirect and include service delivery, facilitation, brokerage and leadership.
Demographic data indicates that that Western Suburbs population: is older and better off than the metropolitan population as a whole; has a higher proportion of young people (15-19 yrs) than in the Perth metropolitan area as a whole but the rate of increase is lower; there are pockets of very high incomes, of lower incomes and disadvantage; proportion of young people is likely to decrease slightly in coming years; numbers of 19- 24 year olds are declining, except in Subiaco; and youth unemployment is lower than Perth except in Mosman Park.
The consultation and survey material found the following key themes. Young people are highly mobile and relate to the Western Suburbs as a whole. There is evidence of a desire by both young people and service providers for a higher priority to be given to the needs of young people. Youth-specific services and facilities were seen by young people to be lacking. Youth-specific activities and events are sought, both structured and unstructured. Cost is an issue for many young people. Many young people appear unaware of the services available to them and suggest a need for coordinated, region wide and effective communication strategies. Young people seek meaningful engagement and consultation in issues that affect them. Young people report that they want access to public infrastructure (housing, transport, leisure facilities, libraries and public space). Young people want the freedom to move unhindered about their Formatted: Bullets and neighbourhoods. Numbering Public transport is a very important service for young people and improvements in both services and information are sought. Many young people and service providers are concerned about the pressures and expectations placed on them by parents, family, peers and schools in relation to education and social issues. These pressures have an impact on young people’s health and wellbeing. Youth specific affordable health and wellbeing services and access to bulk billing were identified as a major service gap. Linked with concerns about drug and alcohol misuse, stress and pressure from peers, schools and adult expectations and this creates a significant challenge for policy and service development. Existing parks (public open space), libraries and pools are well used and important facilities. These facilities are also those young people seek
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 44 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report improvements to. Public places and private homes are the most common venues for unstructured social contact with peers. There are negative community and media supported images of young people which require balance and some LGA action and leadership in this regard would be helpful. Technology-based communication is not accessed regularly and was unreliable as a sole means of communicating with young people. Friends, family and mainstream media are the most used information sources. While safety is an often identified concern it is a greater concern for young women and is most often location or circumstance specific.
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3 DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 An Overall Picture The picture arising from the consultations and survey is complex. Young people in the Western Suburbs are for the most part, well resourced and educated. They do, however, feel under pressure from the expectations of schools, parents, peers, the community and the wider society.
In general, there is a broad range of facilities and services available for young people in the Western Suburbs area, but the research finds that there is a clear need for better information about available services and facilities and how they can be accessed by young people.
Improving young people’s access to mainstream services and infrastructure should be a higher priority for local government. Notable here are issues around public transport, youth friendly health services, community education, personal safety, shopping and entertainment facilities, sport and recreational facilities and the comfortable use of public space and affordable housing.
Young people who live in the Western Suburbs, as well as those who come into the region, value the environment, facilities and opportunities available in the Western Suburbs. While they would like to see additional recreation, entertainment and social activities for young people in the Western Suburbs, the research found that young people accord a high priority to improved access to existing mainstream facilities and services.
Like many other similar projects the consultations found that young people want to be active and informed members of their communities. Young people are seeking information, participation and real engagement in the decisions that affect them and their communities.
Young people in the Western Suburbs are aware that within their comfortable economic and social environment there are pockets of disadvantage, both social and financial, which should to be recognised and addressed to make sure that all young people enjoy the opportunities, resources and facilities in the Western Suburbs.
The concerns of young people needs require a higher profile within local government at both the regional (WESROC) and individual local government level. A stronger regional focus on policy development, advocacy for youth issues, planning and service provision, combined with a stronger whole-of- council approach to youth issues by each local government authority would seem the most appropriate approach to meeting needs in the Western Suburbs.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 46 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 3.2 Findings on Key Priority Areas and Key Result Areas
3.2.1 Resources for Youth – Services and Facilities The Study sought to identify gaps in services available to young people and any duplication of youth specific services. There appears to be no major duplication of youth specific services. However a range of gaps were Deleted: , h identified. Deleted: is
While the WESROC Recreation Audit (2002) found that there was an abundance of sporting grounds and facilities, it also found that there was “potential for local sport and recreation facilities to be more youth friendly and appropriate”. A number of LGAs are seeking to address the issue. This Deleted: , t Study would endorse that strategy, particularly by support to sporting and recreational groups to be more youth-friendly.
Young people and service providers identify a number of gaps in services and facilities. These are: access to mainstream and confidential medical services, specifically access to bulk-billing general practitioners; access to specialist youth health services, particularly sexual and reproductive health services and services dealing with psychological, mental health and emotional wellbeing. The type of services identified as needed are for young people experiencing mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress related problems, anxiety about school and performance expectations etc. These services are different to the ‘tertiary’ level mental health services available through the public mental health system that are primarily for young people with serious or diagnosed mental health problems. Young people consulted, particularly those attending private schools, appear unwilling to access school based personnel about those issues; alcohol and drug related support, information, education and counselling services and programs; problems to do with public transport (such as lack of bus routes, costs, concerns about security around some stations at certain times and difficulties travelling across the Western Suburbs) and lack of accessible information about public transport; education of the wider community about youth issues; opportunities for participation in local government processes and decisions; information about existing entertainment and recreation facilities and community services; provision of additional low-cost youth-specific entertainment and recreation facilities, (including under age venues and events) both those specifically for young people and encouraging community events and facilities in which young people can participate; lack of recreational and general activities for young people with disabilities e.g. after school and holiday programs, access to mainstream youth services and programs;
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 47 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report a base for the development and implementation of information services, youth initiatives, programs and participation; more youth-specific and youth-friendly shopping facilities and shopping options; and improved affordable housing options for some young people.
The 2002 WESROC Recreation Audit also noted apparent gaps in the provision of recreation services, youth services and cultural and community development services. This Study finds that the level of services and activities has improved and current strategies should be continued, however, where resources are available, services should be expanded.
This research found that several WESROC member councils have limited capacity to address the needs of young people due to limited allocated resources and the lack of priority accorded to youth issues. This reinforces the need for a regional approach.
In general, there is a broad range of facilities and services available for young people in the Western Suburbs area, but the research finds that there is a need for better information about what is available and how they can be accessed by young people. Young people stress the need for information ‘pathways’ to enable them to find out what is available. Young people largely rely on informal networks, friends and family and mainstream media as information sources. They do not, as may have been expected, generally access information technology for this type of information. This highlights the need for a regional “Youth Communication Strategy”, discussed later in this Report.
Young people move freely across and between the Western Suburbs and are often not aware of the specific boundaries and responsibilities of LGAs. Many of the resources and facilities used by young people are part of the mainstream infrastructure used by the broad community. Young people often request that these services be provided and promoted in a more youth-friendly way.
3.2.2 Needs and Attitudes of Young People The needs of young people are diverse and complex. The Western Suburbs contains some of the more wealthy and well resourced communities in the State. It is also home to pockets of social and economic disadvantage, including populations of young people with disabilities, young people on limited incomes, those from other cultural backgrounds, a small Indigenous population and those in the private rental market. The Western Suburbs also hosts large numbers of young people from outside the area, both as students and visitors who make use of the facilities and services on offer as well as the natural resources (beach, river front, foreshore and open spaces) the area has to offer.
Young people want to be recognised and valued as contributing members of their communities and respected for what they do. They are keenly aware of the negative public image of young people and refer to public attitudes and the
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 48 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report mainstream media as the source of such negative images. They would like the broader community to be more comfortable with them as a group. This would improve their feelings of comfort in public places where they sometimes feel “hassled”.
The research finds that some young people fear for their safety, sometimes in specific locations or circumstances (although perhaps not always in proportion to the real level of risk).
Young people are concerned that public spaces are less accessible to them as more and more space is ‘privatised’. Their access to public space is controlled or limited in various ways e.g. security guards, exclusionary design. They want to be able to move around their area (the entire Western Suburbs region) safely and to access its resources using public transport as the preferred mode of travel.
While many young people are active in sports, recreational and other leisure pursuits they are not always aware of available resources. They are also concerned about the value they get for their money and seek better access to all-age and low-cost entertainment and recreation options. Young people in the Western Suburbs also value education and broader cultural activities, report making significant use of libraries and public resources and seek a greater youth focus in these community resources.
As stated, many young people are keen to be more involved in local communities and local decision making and seek to exercise a greater stake- holding in their communities.
3.2.3 Engaging Young People in Decision Making There are differences between LGAs in the extent to which they focus on the needs and aspirations of young people. Direct engagement includes Youth Advisory Councils and other consultative mechanisms, and the provision of dedicated staff to work with young people. Indirect mechanisms include Council policies and strategies, funding arrangements and overall social attitudes towards the inclusion of young people.
Many young people want to be more involved in their communities and in decisions that affect them. They want to be heard and to have their views respected and valued. Young people can and do contribute creativity. They can provide a fresh approach to broader community and local government issues.
There are many ways local governments can engage young people in decision making. Youth Councils and Youth Advisory Councils (YACS) are one way. A number of WESROC Councils support YACs. While these are a vital way of engaging young people, the views they express have to be respected, taken seriously and acted on by local government. YAC members seek more involvement in local government decision making processes. YACs can also provide a pathway for young people to become
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 49 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report elected members. LGAs across the Western Suburbs should work to attract more young people to stand as elected members.
Youth involvement can also be achieved by ensuring young people are represented on existing and evolving LGA committees, advisory and planning groups and participate in all community consultations.
Some young people will not want to make a long term commitment to a committee or structure, but they still want to be taken seriously and to have access to the opportunities for contributing to LGA decision making. Four directions emerge for engaging young people.
First, the development of strategic and policy frameworks at a local and regional level to ensure that young people’s needs are addressed at the whole- of-Council level within each council and WESROC itself.
Secondly, increasing the number and effectiveness of structures and opportunities through which young people can participate directly in LGA decision making, at the regional and local level, for example as elected members and as YAC members.
Thirdly, involving more young people in council standing committees, advisory and planning groups and community bodies, community consultative structures and mechanisms.
Fourthly, ensuring indirect and less structured mechanisms for youth engagement and input, such as inviting youth representatives to all council events and ensuring youth involvement in all community consultation and planning events.
3.2.4 Availability of Places and Spaces for Young People The level of resources in the Western Suburbs are better than in many other areas within the Perth metropolitan area. Young people generally report a high level of satisfaction with the level and quality of public parks and public amenities such as parks, ovals and open green spaces.
There are two gaps or issues for attention. The first is the need for better youth information and communication strategies to enable young people to access information on events, facilities, resources and services across the region. The creation of an information resource, perhaps a regional base for information dissemination and communication with young people would improve access to existing resources.
A second, more complex issue, is the need for young people to access and use existing public space. Public space is an important way young people feel part of and connected to their community. Other users, such as business, adults, authorities and private interests, may want to restrict or control young people’s use of public space.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 50 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Young people often experience alienation, hostility and exclusion in public spaces. Young people consulted in this Study are concerned that public space in the Western Suburbs is becoming less accessible to them as more public space is ‘privatised’ and their access to public space is controlled or limited in various ways.
Young people also identify action required to improve public space such as provision of sheltered and shaded areas, improved lighting, provision of seating and gathering (hanging out) spaces, more and cleaner public toilets, better shaded skate parks, bike ramps, public telephones, public art and graffiti spaces and public stage structures for concerts and music making.
The involvement of young people in the planning, development and design of public space could alleviate a range of problems both for the young people and for the wider community.
On the place and role of the two PCYCs in the area a variety of issues were identified. While they are fully utilised and have waiting lists for some activities, these clubs find it hard to take on new activities. In their current form they cater for specific populations of young people and may not provide the flexibility and informality that many young people want. Many young people want unstructured activities and venues and want to be able to simply drop in for a drink and access to some resources while waiting for friends or just hanging out. This Report recommends action in relation to this issue.
3.2.5 Ways to Focus on all Youth Not Just Youth at Risk The ‘squeaky wheel syndrome’ is a common element in the history of the relationship between communities and young people. Attitudes about youth are often shaped by the high profile of a few ‘problem’ young people, balanced somewhat by the lower profile of high achievers. The truth is that neither is an accurate picture of young people. The vast majority of young people go about their lives with very little attention or reward. The same is true of the Western Suburbs.
There are many agencies whose role is to respond to the special needs of young people at risk or in trouble and conflict with society. The role of local government might be defined more broadly in terms of the broad sweep of the youth community, while still acknowledging that there are some ‘at risk’ and difficult to manage young people who also require attention. It is important, however, to ensure that within this broader approach, the needs of the more disadvantaged groups are not neglected, and that issues of equity of access are kept high on the agenda and included in decisions about funding, policy and programs.
3.2.6 Cultural Development for Youth While young people did not give high priority to this issue in the survey or consultations, they did report participation in a wide variety of art, music and other cultural activities.
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Access to rehearsal space and workshops for music was mentioned by some young people. The Subiaco PCYC, for example, provides low cost rehearsal space which is well used. Community groups and service providers said that those with ability to pay, or at private schools, have access to a wide range of facilities, the creation of low or no cost public spaces for performance is needed across the region and might be addressed though a WESROC regional strategy.
Young people would like to see more youth art and artistic expression in public spaces, one example being graffiti walls. The Graffiti Project is one such example, as is the City of Nedlands Youth Photographic project. These projects need to be extended.
Two other issues were raised in discussions. The first is the need for artistic and cultural development programs for young people at a local community and region wide level. The value of low cost grassroots or community based arts events targeting young people might be further developed perhaps using Ampfest as a model. The current ‘eyeZown’ project in Nedlands may provide another example.
Secondly the need for low cost, accessible and youth focused community education and other broad educational and personal development opportunities. Young people felt that such opportunities were either not available in the Region or if they were, were too expensive.
3.2.7 Specific Gaps and Services for Young Women Young women expressed more concern about issues such as the need for better youth health and medical services, counselling services for alcohol and drug issues and mental health concerns, for improved education opportunities, better protection of the environment and the lack of low-cost entertainment opportunities. Young women were also concerned about the lack of youth specific shopping amenities in the region.
In general, young men focused more on the importance of sporting and recreational facilities and activities, protection of the environment, access to public space and entertainment opportunities.
Of interest are the concerns of young women about the focus on the development of skate parks as a response to youth needs. They point out that while not exclusively a male activity the use of skate parks is dominated by young men and skating is largely a male activity.
“What are we supposed to do while they’re skating/ There aren’t many other things to do around a skate park!”
Recognition of the specific needs of young women needs to be accorded greater significance within the development of youth policy, facilities, strategies and programs at both the regional and LGA specific level.
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Young women also report greater concern about feelings of safety and security, particularly around the Bayview entertainment precinct area at night. While young males are also concerned about safety, particularly around train and bus stations, the issue of safety has a greater impact on young women.
Young women are also more open about the need for good quality, accessible health and medical services, including sexual and reproductive health services and their absence from the current range of youth friendly resources in the region. Responses during the consultations mention issues of confidentiality, reproductive and sexual health, mental health and counselling services and bulk billing.
Service providers also note the pressure under which many high achieving young people operate during school years and point to the different needs of young men and young women.
Many young women want to be actively involved in community and civic engagement and leadership. LGAs should do more to harness young women’s desire to be actively involved in local government decision making.
3.2.8 Access to and Implications of Information Technology on Youth The internet revolution has been overtaken by the SMS revolution for many young people. While the apparently low frequency of internet and email usage by young people revealed by the survey, may be surprising, it is clear that ‘messaging’ is the most immediate and reliable communication with and between young people at this time.
While both the survey and the 2001 Census show high levels of computer use at home, the research found that 50% of survey respondents use the internet or email once a week or less and only 10% every day. The survey also showed that the internet is a poorly used resource to get information about what is going on locally or about youth services and facilities.
This finding is consistent with other research undertaken here and in the UK which suggests that the importance of the internet as a communication and general information medium should be treated with caution and may be generally overestimated in importance. On the other hand, the use of text messaging as a rapid and immediate form of communication increases among young people and recent study by Liz Curran at La Trobe University9 suggests it is so popular as to have become a real source of poverty as bills rise rapidly.
While computer and internet use in the region is high at home (48%) and at school (21%), it is low in libraries (4%) and internet cafes (<2%). Important information sources are still family and friends, TV, radio and newspapers (especially local and community papers) and school or college. Discussions
9 Reported in http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1033082.htm
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 53 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report about information provision with young people suggest more traditional means of provision (not electronic) are still more likely to be preferred than the use of the internet or other means. Discussions with young people at one forum revealed strong interest in the development of print based information and opinion pieces for production and consumption by the youth community across the region.
3.2.9 Managing the Shift from Active Sports to Leisure The data from the Study suggests that while organised sport and activities are important to many young people, the use of flexible and informal activity sites and facilities is more popular. Ovals, parks, the beach and foreshore, skate parks, streets, riverfront, libraries and pools, cafes, public parks and spaces and other sites for informal passive and active recreation outscore the importance of sport and recreation specific venues. These sites of informal activity are highly valued in the list of those things which should be created or improved.
However, a number of young people are looking for better basketball and netball courts, cricket and hockey pitches and tennis courts. The pattern would suggest that this is not an either/or equation. It is an expression of the need for a wide variety of activities some of which are organised, structured and require a dedicated resource of some kind, while others are informal, more relaxed and essentially social activities which require space and permission.
This suggests that formal sports facilities are important and need to be maintained, for both structured and unstructured activities. However, passive recreational and leisure focussed activities are increasingly important for many young people. They are relaxed, flexibly timed and self-driven by their participants. Young people will dip in and out of this menu of opportunities.
In addition the ability of young people to move freely and comfortably around the area and to make appropriate and unhindered use of public spaces will also build on the relationship between young people and their community and with local government.
At the older end of the youth spectrum, the increasing use of public entertainment venues by young people has both benefits and difficulties. Recent public order issues have focussed public attention on groups of young people and disruptive behaviour fuelled by alcohol. These images present challenges to local government trying to provide better access for young people to community resources. Greater levels of youth engagement not only provide opportunities for collaborative problem solving, but increase the sense of ownership and civil stake-holding of young people decreases the likelihood of their involvement in public disorder.
3.2.10 Managing Transient Youth and Transient Trends There are large numbers of young people who do not live in the Western Suburbs but who move through it on a regular basis. Visitors to the Western
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 54 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Suburbs bring both benefits and challenges. There appear to be very few differences between the views of those who live in, and those who visit, the Western Suburbs. Both groups take part in activities within and outside the area suggesting that those who visit do so fairly frequently. There are those who come regularly, two or three times a week, and those who visit only once a week, probably at weekends. They come because of public transport, friends who live there, the beach and other attractions, facilities and amenities.
An important factor is that the main public transport routes go through the Western Suburbs and young people go through the Western Suburbs to get to other attractions such as beaches and Fremantle. Young people also visit the area fairly frequently with families. Strong links to friends will engage these young visitors further, if the resident community feels engaged and valued.
Transient youth are a challenge for youth service providers everywhere. The unpredictable and market driven nature of youth trends and tastes is very hard to predict but means that heavy investment in inflexible and expensive facilities and resources is likely to be a mistake in the medium term, as they often become unattractive or outmoded and inappropriate as youth needs and demands change.
3.3 Forming Partnerships with State and Federal Governments
The Project brief sought some proposals about how WESROC could form Deleted: as to partnerships with State and Commonwealth Governments working with young Deleted: people. Given the array of Federal and State government agencies involved in youth services this a major challenge.
The Federal Government has responsibility for national youth programs and goals, particularly income support, welfare, tertiary education, unemployment and training. Important Federal initiatives include Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, Youth Pathways, National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, Work for the Dole, the Reconnect Program (which focuses on early intervention), Youth Allowance and the Job Network. Major departments include Health and Ageing, Family and Community Services (FaCS), Department of Education Science and Training (DEST), Centrelink and Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
The State Government delivers programs and services for youth through a number of departments, particularly Justice, Health, Education, Community Development, Disability Services, Housing and Sport and Recreation. Other agencies which deliver services relevant to youth include Planning and Infrastructure (Public Transport), Consumer and Employment Protection and Indigenous Affairs.
We would make the following points. There are many government agencies working to meet youth needs and it is difficult to see how WESROC and Councils could develop and sustain individual partnerships with government agencies. Rather, some form of
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 55 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report regional policy network, structure or agreement that links all major government agencies to WESROC would seem most useful. This was seen as desirable by many government representatives consulted. Government agencies have mandates much wider than the Western Suburbs and may not give a high priority to issues in the Western Suburbs. The relatively high level of advantage, infrastructure, services and facilities in the Western Suburbs may mean that government agencies are less likely to allocate resources to youth needs in the Western Suburbs. Many government agencies identify that youth needs in other parts of the metropolitan area are a higher priority and would be more likely to direct their limited resources and programs to those high need metropolitan areas. Partnerships need to be developed at a number of levels simultaneously. Local government youth staff can and do develop relationships, linkages and service level partnerships with individual workers in government agencies. These may be formal and informal and involve joint initiatives, sharing of information and resources and improving ways of working together to meet youth needs. There are many current examples of council youth staff and workers in government agencies working together. These types of partnerships should continue as a priority for council youth staff and could be planned and strengthened on a region wide basis. Partnerships also need to be developed at the policy and whole-of-agency level so as to achieve the types of joined-up working which is seen as desirable. While this can occur through standing committees and structures, for example Safer WA, some tend to be single issue focused. WESROC could develop a Spirit of Cooperation Agreement (or Memorandum of Understanding) to provide an agreed description of roles, responsibilities and relationships between the Western Suburbs councils and State and Federal Government agencies concerned with young people. This Agreement would describe current Government priorities in the Western Suburbs and identify actions to be taken by government agencies and local authorities to address unmet youth needs which have been highlighted in this report.
WESROC, on behalf of individual councils could also initiate an advocacy and lobbying strategy to influence government agencies to address unmet youth needs. One example would be the need for improved youth health services and bulk billing for young people in the WESROC region. This would involve State and Federal agencies as well as groups such as the Australian Medical Association and Divisions of General Practice.
3.4 Regional and Local Strategies
3.4.1 Local government supporting service provision by other agencies There is considerable scope for LGAs in the Western Suburbs to support existing organisations who provide services and programs for young people. There is an array of experienced agencies and groups who have direct contact with young people whose efforts could be strengthened with greater support from LGAs.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 56 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Many service providers would welcome local governments playing a greater role in assisting their agency to work with young people. Schools, youth services, health and medical agencies, community and voluntary agencies all express a desire and a willingness to work closely with LGAs to ensure better services to young people.
The efforts of three LGAs, including Nedlands, Subiaco and Mosman Park are cited by a number of service providers as positive examples of what can be achieved when LGAs build relationships and work closely with local agencies and groups. The work done by the Youth Development Officers in these three Councils in building relationships and supporting the work of local agencies is highly valued. This work should continue as a high priority.
Many of the agencies consulted during the Study work with young people from across (and outside) the Western Suburbs rather than just young people in individual LGAs. They would prefer LGAs to operate on a more regional basis to meet youth needs, rather than a council by council basis.
There is a number of ways that LGAs do and/or could facilitate the provision of youth programs, services and facilities by other agencies including the following. Providing resources, for example directly funding agencies. A current example is the support provided to Shenton College by the City of Nedlands in providing funds to the Chaplaincy. Councils could also contract agencies to provide services on their behalf or fund specific agency initiatives. Councils can also provide in kind support such as Council staffing support. LGAs could deliver their programs and services through existing non- government agencies and groups. Joint planning, collaboration and service delivery. LGAs could involve local agencies in jointly planning and delivery of events. This is seen by many local services and agencies to be a highly desirable strategy. Better promotion, information sharing and communication. LGAs could promote other agency’s events, or work closely with local agencies to promote their own events and activities. A consistent view expressed by agencies is that councils could assist by developing strategies to increase young peoples’ awareness of the range of programs, activities and services provided by existing agencies. LGAs could use their lobbying power and advocacy skills to support local agencies and services to obtain funding for particular programs which are traditionally outside of a local government mandate.
There is a number of potential barriers that need to be recognised. Some service providers find the complexity, bureaucracy and slow pace of local government processes a reason not to work with councils. Some service providers reported that they do not know how they can engage councils. Some service providers perceive that some councils are not interested in the work they do with young people, or do not see the relevance of that work to the core activities of councils.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 57 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report A number of service providers expressed concern that councils may want to exert a degree of control and ownership over their programs, services and activities. Agencies tend to think of responding to young people’s needs on a regional basis rather than a local government specific basis. Many service providers believe that LGAs are unable or unwilling to resource them to provide services to young people from outside that LGA’s area. Most service providers require additional resources to deliver services and programs and see that LGAs tend to focus on resourcing programs and activities within their specific local government boundaries. For many community and voluntary agencies the prohibitive cost of public liability insurance is a major factor limiting their capacity to provide programs and services to young people. Local government could, and in some cases does, assist agencies in that regard.
There is a wide range of funding sources with potential to assist in implementing the recommendations of this report. These sources are often targeted towards very specific program or project types. They also have a wide range of criteria and administrative processes and requirements. It is not possible to link recommendations with particular funding sources until specific projects have been designed and the developmental work completed. An on-going collaborative relationship with other organisations and young people, as recommended, may result in specific projects for which funding could be sought. The nature of any project will determine the most appropriate source of funding.
Attached in Appendix 9 is a list of potential funding sources and internet links for further information.
3.4.2 A Broad Role for Local Government Local government plays a number of important roles in addressing youth needs and youth service provision. It is, as is often noted, the layer of government closest to the community and as such is well placed to stay in touch with grass roots perceptions and attitudes in the community. It is well placed to facilitate positive community attitudes and beliefs towards young people.
There are five major roles local government should adopt in the development of services for young people. WESROC is able to undertake some of these roles; Leadership and Coordination, Planning and Policy, Support and Capacity Building and Facilitator/Advocate, as is each individual LGA.
Leadership and Coordination Local government can act as leader both directly and indirectly. The development of policy and strategy for youth services and youth development acts as a lever for the delivery of youth services. It also demonstrates the community value accorded young people. Local government can also link government and community organisations to address needs or share information and resources.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 58 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report Planning and Policy Local government can provide a framework for establishing priorities, providing funding and developing strategies to meet local youth needs.
Service Provision Local government provides a range of services to its communities. Some of these are funded from Council resources and some by government and other agencies. The priority of public space in the lives of young people, local recreation and cultural activities, safety concerns, access to pools, parks and libraries and other public infrastructure point to the importance of services provided by local government that benefit young people.
Support and Capacity Building Local government can assist and support existing community groups to address youth needs. This can involve the provision of resources, information, and support.
Facilitator/Advocate Local government can exercise responsibility outside what might be considered to be their primary area of responsibility. Local government is in a strong position to respond to community needs by facilitating broader debate or advocating on behalf of its communities to other levels of government. Local government can also bring issues to the attention of decision makers and or lobby for resources.
3.4.3 Developing a Stronger Regional Approach: A Collaborative Approach through WESROC Youth issues and needs require a higher profile within local government at both the regional level (WESROC) and individual local government level.
Young people identify as residents of a suburb or residents of the Western Suburbs, not as part of particular LGAs A stronger regional focus to policy development, advocacy for youth issues, planning and service provision, combined with a stronger whole-of-council approach to youth policy, planning and service provision by each local government authority would seem the most appropriate strategy for meeting youth needs in the Western Suburbs.
A regional approach is also important given the diversity of the youth demographic in the Western Suburbs.
A regional approach should identify the local and regional strategies WESROC intends to implement at individual LGA and regional levels as well as the commitment of other groups including business, state and commonwealth departments and the community sector to provide opportunities for young people.
Young people who do not live in the region are an important part of the target group of young people. They are important to young people who live in the region and they are important to local businesses and institutions, such as schools. A regional approach should address their role in the region.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 59 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report 3.4.4 Developing LGA Specific Strategies and Approaches While we propose a stronger regional response to the development of services and resources for young people in the Western Suburb each of the six member councils will need to consider its response to youth needs.
Several WESROC member councils have limited capacity to address the needs of young people due to limited resources and the lack of priority accorded to youth issues. Given their size and limited resources the need for a collaborative approach to address unmet youth needs is even more vital. In addition, this Report recommends dedicated youth staff and resources in each WESROC LGA.
3.5 A Strategy for Providing Programs, Services and Facilities In this section a strategy for the delivery of programs, services and facilities for young people is outlined.
A number of Broad Directions (Recommendations) are proposed: In broad terms the recommendations are headed as follows. Recommendation 1 Develop a Regional Youth Commitment including a joint statement of values, visions and strategies for WESROC youth services and a Partnership Commitment from stakeholder agencies and government departments.
Recommendation 2 Address priority youth needs on a regional basis.
Recommendation 3 Develop regional and local structures to involve young people in local governance and decision making.
Recommendation 4 Design a regional base to act as a focus for the implementation of the proposed Regional Youth Commitment and other regional youth initiatives.
Recommendation 5 Encourage a welcoming supportive and inclusive environment for young people.
Recommendation 6 Develop a Regional Youth Communication Strategy to inform young people and the wider community.
Recommendation 7 Develop stronger regional and local partnerships involving all levels of government and community organisations concerned about youth issues.
Recommendation 8 Develop and implement local strategies that support regional initiatives and meet youth needs and aspirations.
Under each recommendation a variety of strategies are proposed. Some strategies can be implemented at the regional level, others are best implemented by individual LGAs or by a number of LGAs working together.
Creative LINKS Foundation & Matrix Consulting Group 60 WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report While we have not given relative priority to these recommendations, they do provide a strategic structure which allows immediate and longer term responses to be made. The most immediate responses are those which establish the consultative frameworks (YCN and Regional Youth Advisory Committee), develop and establish the Regional Youth Commitment and establish collaborative networks and relationships between LGAs, WESROC and other government and community agencies particularly through the Partnership Commitment.
The next level is those recommendations to do with safety, and health, the development of information systems and pathways to existing services and the development of the proposed regional youth base as a focus for implementation of the regional strategy.
Other specific service and issue focussed recommendations form the third level.
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RECOMMENDATION 1: WESROC and each of the six member councils should adopt a Regional Youth Commitment.
The Commitment should ¾ acknowledge the importance of the region as a focus for the development of an integrated approach to meeting the needs of Western Suburbs young people; ¾ contain a commitment by each member council to participate in the development and implementation of the strategy and resulting program initiatives through direct service delivery, policy development and advocacy and brokerage or facilitation; ¾ include a principle in the Strategic Plan of each of the six WESROC member authorities to develop and implement a wide-ranging youth development agenda including the strategic objectives outlined below; ¾ recognise the diversity of youth needs and the youth population and the importance of the young people to the life of the Western Suburbs; ¾ acknowledge the importance of collaborative partnerships in the development and implementation of any plan including broad community representation, local business, all tiers of government and most importantly, young people; ¾ consider the needs and contribution of young people not resident in the area who visit and recreate in the region and thereby make a contribution to its youth culture and the life of its communities; ¾ link the development of the Regional Youth Commitment to the development and well-being of the entire Western Suburbs community; ¾ commit adequate and continuing human and financial resources, including a designated youth officer, by each member council to develop, implement and monitor the Regional Youth Commitment and its component strategies and to support work with young people in the Western Suburbs; and ¾ additional strength would be added to the impact of the Commitment by Deleted: ¶ Commonwealth and State Government departments and community agencies becoming Partner Signatories to the Commitment. The Partnership Commitment would commit other stakeholders to work collaboratively with young people and with WESROC and to develop their own services consistent with and in the spirit of the Regional Commitment.
As part of this Recommendation a joint statement of values, vision and strategies for WESROC youth services should be developed as part of the Regional Youth Commitment.
The creation and adoption of a wide ranging Regional Youth Commitment should reflect the principles and vision the six member councils believe should guide youth services and their support to the local youth community and should reflect the aspirations of young people across the region and the broad strategic intent of WESROC and its member councils, such as:
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Values Equity, Collaboration and Partnerships, Involvement and Participation, Diversity, Connection and Ownership.
Vision The members of the Western Suburbs Regional Group of Councils recognise the important role young people play in the life of its communities and value the contribution they make to its unique character. The Western Suburbs is a great place for young people to live, work, study, recreate and visit, a place where they feel valued, involved and safe. It is a region in which they will have a sense of belonging and ownership and the opportunity to participate in the development and management of their community.
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RECOMMENDATION 2: Address priority youth needs on a regional basis.
Young people and service providers have identified a range of unmet needs and priorities including lack of youth health services and bulk billing GPs, problems with public transport, safety, recreation, entertainment and cultural activities. WESROC should lobby and advocate for strategies to address these unmet needs. Strategies could include the following. ¾ Negotiate with and lobby the Regional Division of General Practice to increase the availability and accessibility of confidential bulk billing GP services. ¾ Convene a working group in collaboration with the W.A. Department of Health, the Division of General Practice, Department of Community Development and other key stakeholders to develop appropriate, accessible and affordable youth health and wellbeing services to serve young people in the Western Suburbs, including sexual and reproductive health, drug and alcohol, counselling, mental and emotional wellbeing services. This group could also look at ways that local services could be supported and assisted to develop and extend early intervention and prevention programs targeting young people at risk as well as young people experiencing difficulties due to family circumstances, school pressures, mental health and substance abuse concerns.
¾ Lobby the State Government (Public Transport Authority) for improved and affordable public transport options. ¾ Establish a youth transport users consultative mechanism to support local government advocacy and advise the development of local transport policy which would: • advocate for the availability of safe affordable and accessible public transport as a crucial means of access to social, educational and economic activity for young people; • address routes and timings of services from a youth perspective including access for young people who live outside of the region; • recognise that young people have personal safety fears in the transport arena and are not just the perpetrators of public safety issues; • acknowledge that many young people in the Western Suburbs have not had a childhood familiarity with public transport; and • develop information strategies for young people about existing public transport options through improved information dissemination mechanisms e.g. route maps to places.
¾ Convene a working group of young people, business and other service providers to develop a regional ‘youth access’ or ‘youth friendly service’ policy and encourage external providers to adopt its provisions. ¾ Develop and adopt a regional youth recreation strategy, incorporating the recommendations of the 2002 Recreation Survey, to facilitate access to adequate recreational and entertainment facilities throughout the region.
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¾ Provide/develop public spaces where young people can meet together safely and without conflict with other users. In the development of this WESROC Youth Needs Study Final Report
¾ Convene a one day forum inviting identified agencies to make submissions to deal with the safety and security concerns of young women. The forum should preferably be co-convened by a young female councillor and a young woman YAC member from different LGA areas. It should be designed and driven by these young people and an Advisory Group of young women from across the region, supported by youth officer resources from within WESROC. The Advisory Group would prepare a brief paper for distribution to the participants outlining the concerns raised by the Study and asking them to attend, present strategies to respond to these concerns from their particular perspective and take part in a round table discussion to agree an integrated action plan to improve the sense of personal safety among young women across the Western Suburbs.
Among others the following agencies should be invited to participate: • Public transport Authority; • W.A. Police Service; • Main Roads; • LGA planning officer to address lighting and design issues; • representative of the hospitality industry; • local media; • representative of young men, perhaps a male YAC member; • other relevant groups.
Following the forum the group should hold a media conference to report its proceedings and suggestions for further action.
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RECOMMENDATION 3: Develop regional and local structures to involve young people in local governance and decision making.
Many young people want to be heard and to have their views respected and valued. Young people want greater input and involvement in local government decisions. Young people can and do contribute creativity. They can provide a fresh approach to broader community and local government issues.
At a regional level the following strategies are proposed. ¾ Create a regional youth consultation and engagement process such as a regional Youth Co-ordinating Network (YCN) convened by WESROC and including representation from all three levels of government, all interested stakeholders (youth agencies and others) and young people from member YACs. ¾ Form a regional youth representative standing body (like a regional YAC) or WESROC Youth Co-ordinating Committee linked to neighbourhood structures to ensure adequate representation from across the region. • Ensure councillor and officer support at regional and local levels. • Engage this structure in the development and review of regional youth strategies and programs. • Create a regional structure to link you people to the business of local government. ¾ Support a regional youth services providers directory to be developed and maintained by the YCN. ¾ Hold an Annual Youth Conference or event for WESROC YACs and other interested young people to review youth issues and develop an Annual Regional Youth Plan.
At the individual council level the following strategies are proposed. ¾ Develop, expand and support the role of YACs in council decision making and in addressing youth needs. Where no YACs exist investigate the possibility of a joint YAC involving 2 or 3 Councils e.g. Peppermint Grove and Cottesloe. ¾ Work towards youth representation on all council standing committees, advisory bodies and planning groups and community consultative structures. ¾ Raise the profile of youth issues at Council election time. ¾ Encourage more young people to nominate for council elections. ¾ Try to involve young people in all council consultations, planning and review processes. ¾ Consider young people’s needs in all council planning processes, land use and urban design, environmental planning and strategic and social planning.
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RECOMMENDATION 4: Design a regional base to act as a focus for the implementation of the proposed Regional Youth Commitment and other regional youth initiatives.
In collaboration with government agencies, service providers and WESROC, young people should be assisted to design a regional youth base which, among others, could: ¾ provide a focus for the development of regional youth services and facilities and: • act as a base for consultation and engagement with young people on a range of issues across the region (e.g. a base for the proposed YCN and regional youth forum); • become a hub or portal for the development of information and pathways to other facilities and the on-going task of monitoring gaps in services and the changing needs of young people in the region; • provide a base for the development and co-ordination of responses to regional youth priorities (Recommendation 2); and • provide a location for the development and promotion of regional youth activities and events such as Ampfest, youth arts and cultural events.
¾ The base could: • be located centrally in the region; • be supported and co-resourced by all WESROC members; • be staffed by a co-ordinator and supported by a governing body of young people from the region; • operate consistently with the objectives of the WESROC Regional Youth Commitment; and • be driven by terms of reference designed and updated by young people from the regional youth co-ordinating committee.
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RECOMMENDATION 5: Encourage a Welcoming, Supportive and Inclusive Environment for Young People.
A community which is welcoming, inclusive and understanding of young people is more likely to result in a youth population which takes the opportunities presented to it and engages in its community as responsible and contributing citizens. Strategies could include the following: ¾ Continue to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people through youth awards, Western Suburbs youth week and other council awards and events. ¾ Support and extend voluntary opportunities for young people. ¾ Continue to improve public amenities and facilities for young people e.g. provision of sheltered and shaded areas, improved lighting, provision of seating and gathering (hanging out) spaces, more and cleaner public toilets, better shaded skate parks, bike ramps, public telephones, public art and graffiti spaces and public stage structures for concerts and music making; ¾ Encourage local business to improve the appeal and accessibility of existing spaces to young people. ¾ Develop polices for the management of physical infrastructure which enhance youth friendly public space with flexible use and a focus on the broad development of youth culture. ¾ Promote positive community attitudes to young people seeing them as an asset, as supporters of local businesses and infrastructure and as engaged concerned citizens with particular needs and aspirations. ¾ Develop and circulate a Regional Youth Development Statement which represents the position of young people in the WESROC area and links to the strategic plans of the six member councils and the priorities of WESROC. This is an action statement giving life to the strategic intent of the Regional Youth Commitment (as expressed in Recommendation 3) and should be updated along with other action plans. ¾ Provide access to a wide range of mainstream services and facilities on a regional basis through direct delivery by WESROC and member Councils and the exercise of leadership in advocacy with other funding bodies and providers. ¾ Develop a Regional Youth Arts and Culture Policy. ¾ Continue to support, develop and fund free or low cost regional and local youth specific cultural events, festivals and activities that involve and are attractive to young people. ¾ Develop an annual calendar of youth events and activities. ¾ Promote, encourage and recognise young people’s participation in community life and community events. ¾ Promote opportunities for cross-generational initiatives, such as: • broader community representation on project working groups to assist in breaking down barriers, suspicion and negative stereotypes; and • promotion of youth volunteer opportunities in inter-generational projects.
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RECOMMENDATION 6: Develop a Regional Youth Communications Strategy to inform youth & the wider community.
¾ Resource and develop a Regional Youth Communications Strategy to provide young people with regular access to information about services, resources, programs, activities, events and facilities available for young people in the Western Suburbs. ¾ Work on developing a regional calendar or program of youth events and activities, including non or low cost events, alcohol free events, underage events and other community events for young people. ¾ Engage local media to ensure good quality and balanced reporting of youth issues and concerns and promote positive media images of young people. ¾ Develop a youth-friendly media policy which build relationships between young people and the local media and assists young people to represent their interests and to be represented fairly and openly in the local media.
RECOMMENDATION 7: Develop stronger regional and local partnerships involving all levels of government and community organisations concerned about youth issues.
¾ Implement the Partnership Commitment provisions of the Regional Youth Commitment. ¾ Provide resources, support and infrastructure to community organisations and agencies operating in WESROC to enable them to deliver services and programs to young people. ¾ Strengthen links between council youth staff, private and government schools and community and government agencies working with young people in the Western Suburbs. ¾ Develop closer links with tertiary institutions and schools to explore how their facilities, programs and resources can be made more accessible and available to young people in the WESROC region e.g. pools, sporting facilities. ¾ Encourage and support closer links between events and programs run by community agencies and schools and young people e.g. improved planning and promotion of community events, using the school to link students to community and council events.
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RECOMMENDATION 8: Develop and implement local strategies that support regional initiatives and meet youth needs and aspirations.
¾ Within each LGA develop a whole-of-council approach to youth issues by regularly examining issues affecting young people across all council functions and departments and ensuring that all council policy and planning decisions and council programs and services identify how they will benefit young people. ¾ Continue to resource and support dedicated Youth Development Officers in each LGA. Where positions are not established, this is highly desirable. If necessary positions could be negotiated across LGA areas or as WESROC regional positions. ¾ Continue to provide and preferably expand council youth services, programs and activities. Provide and promote a range of holiday programs and events for young people including social, recreational, educational and cultural programs. Ensure general community events and activities also have a focus which is attractive to and engages the interest of young people. Attention should be paid to ensure these programs are accessible by young people with special needs, such as young people with disabilities and those from low income families. ¾ Provide participatory programs, awards, grants and celebratory opportunities to encourage and acknowledge the importance of the contribution of young people to their local communities.
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