Budget boost for city's young people

Date: Tuesday, 21st July 2009

The City Budget has funded a range of facilities and events, as well as education and employment opportunities for Townsville’s young people.

Lifestyle and Community Development Committee chair Cr Jenny Lane said the Budget focused on creating opportunities for the city’s young people.

"Townsville has a great range of youth activities and services with a focus on providing young people with creative and enjoyable programs, and support to pursue opportunities for their future," Cr Lane said.

Hot on the heels of the completion of Mt Low’s Peggy Banfield Skatepark earlier this year, the $721,000 skate park at Riverway (in Pioneer Park) is scheduled for completion in October.

With funding contributions from the State`s Community Renewal Program and Department of Sport and Recreation, the skate park will include seating and bin facilities under shade, a quarter-pipe, steps, fun box, rails and ledges.

A huge celebration is planned to launch the skate park to the city’s young people who had a role in designing the facility.

The Budget will also invest in the range of programs and activities including career development, employment and training with positions for 15 cadets, 40 apprentices and 39 trainees.

Other highlights include:

• Townsville Youth Council – giving young people a voice
• development of the city-wide Youth Action Plan
• National Youth Week activities
• annual winter and summer school holiday programs
• outreach programs including mobile skate ramps and the Urban Fun Object (UFO) which will travel to the outer reaches of Townsville – Northern Beaches, Woodstock, Alligator Creek and across to Magnetic Island
• Youth in the Spotlight event to celebrate achievements of young people.