There is also a strong focus on building partnership with young people themselves to foster youth participation and leadership within community.
There are 10,242 young people between the ages of 12 and 24 years living in Port Stephens (2011 Census), accounting for approximately 16% of the total population. It is important that we have appropriate plans, strategies and mechanisms to ensure that the needs of our youth are met and young people are sufficiently resourced and supported to participate in the community as both role models of today and leaders of tomorrow.