Mayor's Message - 11 September 2026

The City of Ballarat is committed to supporting young people to belong, connect, and thrive.  

Our new draft Youth Strategy 2027-2030 is now open for public feedback and represents a shared commitment across the City of Ballarat. The strategy invites schools, community organisations, businesses, employers, health services, sporting clubs, and the wider community to work together to support young people.

Around one in six people in Ballarat are aged between 12 and 25. These years are a time of significant growth as young people navigate education, employment pathways, identity, and independence.  

The experiences they have during adolescence and young adulthood help shape not only their future, but the future of our community.  

Nearly 1,000 people contributed to the development of the strategy, including young people, parents and carers, community organisations, service providers, and community members. At the heart of the process were 15 young co-designers, whose lived experience and insights helped shape its vision and priorities  

Young people told us that feeling connected and supported matters.  

They want accessible spaces where they can spend time, make friends, try new things, and feel a sense of belonging. They want opportunities to participate in the community, access support when they need it, and to have trusted adults and organisations that listen to them and care about their wellbeing.

These priorities are reflected in the challenges young people face. Mental health is the most prevalent health concern for Ballarat's young people, and 28 per cent report feeling lonely all or most of the time.  

Addressing these challenges is essential to creating a community where all young people experience a sense of belonging and can thrive.  

Achieving this requires all of us to play a role.

Young people are an important part of Ballarat's community today and into the future. Building a Ballarat where every young person feels safe, connected, and supported is a responsibility we all share.

You can review the strategy and provide feedback until 20 September 2026, at www.mysayballarat.vic.gov.au 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves