Youth Environment Council established

15/5/98

Young Western Australians will soon have a voice in Government on environment issues, following the establishment of the Youth Environment Council.

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today announced the formation of the Council and called for nominations from 13-17 year-olds with an interest and commitment to the environment.

Mrs Edwardes said the decisions made by Government today have a direct impact on the quality of life experienced by our next generation.

"The youth of today are very important stakeholders in the decisions we make concerning our environment," Mrs Edwardes said.

"They are becoming increasingly environmentally aware and are wanting to have a say in how the environment is managed."

The Council will consist of ten members and meet regularly with the Minister and various department Chief Executive Officers. It would provide a regular written report to the Minister.

Mrs Edwardes said its key role would be to inform her about issues that young people felt were important and provide comment on current environmental issues.

Other roles of the Council include:

·      collect and disseminate ideas from young people for practical action for dealing with environmental problems which affect young people;

·      provide information to young people on how to be involved in environmental projects;

·      keep track of funding opportunities available to young people for environmental projects;

·      refer issues via the Minister for Youth Affairs to the Youth Advisory Council for Statewide input;

·      initiate and facilitate open forum discussions between young people on appropriate occasions; and -

·      establish and maintain links with relevant organisations and groups on environmental matters.

The Council will meet monthly and will be funded and provided assistance through an executive officer based at the Minister's office.

Mrs Edwardes made the announcement at Craigie Senior High School where students are involved in a very innovative environmental project.

The Minister praised the school for its commitment to recycling and reducing garden chemical use through the establishment of a worm farm.

"Craigie SHS students, staff and teachers should be commended for their commitment to making the school an environmentally friendly centre," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Waste paper and vegetable scraps from the canteen are fed to the worm farm and the end result - worm castings - are used as a natural fertiliser on the school's gardens."

Mrs Edwardes said the castings were now also being sold in the local community with the profits being directed back through the school.

Council details will be advertised and available on the Minister's website at www.wa.gov.au/cabinet/edwardes/policies/index.html. Further enquiries can be directed to the Minister's office on (08) 9421 7777.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9421 7777.