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Have A Say On Future For Rural YouthWhy do young people leave the country? Why do they stay? Why do they return? What steps can be taken to increase the number of young people in our rural towns and communities? By Rural & Regional Services & Development Committee - 3rd March 2006 - Back to News These are just some of the questions to be explored by the Parliamentary Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee during its new Inquiry into Retaining Young People in Rural Towns and Communities.
Committee chairman, Ben Hardman, today called on all interested Victorians, particularly those living in rural towns and communities, to make a submission to the committee’s new inquiry.
"Your input will be invaluable in helping us in our inquiry on retaining young people in rural towns and communities," Mr Hardman said.
"For a long time now, the trend has been for youth to move away from regional areas to the city.
"We want to explore the reasons for this trend and develop strategies to ensure young people have an opportunity to live in rural towns and communities.
"Young people are the future of rural Victoria."
Mr Hardman said the inquiry would focus on identifying and examining factors that influence young people in deciding whether to live in rural communities.
"We understand that a major factor in youth leaving rural areas is study-related, however, after completing their study, we’re interested in why some don’t return to rural life," said Mr Hardman.
"Committee members, all of whom represent rural or regional electorates, are very interested in hearing possible recommendations and opinions from the public, including young people, on what attracts young people to stay in or return to rural areas."
The committee will advertise across the state for submissions. The closing date for submissions is Friday 28th April.
The committee will also be holding public hearings in Melbourne and across Victoria. Submissions will be used in preparing a report to Parliament with recommendations on supporting and encouraging young people to remain in or return to their rural communities.
A copy of the terms of reference and a guide to making submissions can be obtained from the committee’s website www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rrsdc/, by e-mail: rrsdc@parliament.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 787 202 or 03 9651 3580
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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