Youth Research Qualitative Report - District Council of Mount Barker

transport does not cater to the travel needs of young people who require transport within the
community (to friends, sport training, part-time jobs) after school, in the evening and on weekends.
The costs associated with the transportation of young people (who are otherwise old enough to be
travelling independently) are borne by parents (in terms of time and money) and the environment
(in terms of carbon emissions).
A minority of these young people had little access to resources within their homes and relied on
resources available in the community. These resources were clearly inadequate which compounded
the disadvantage already experienced by these young people. Housing was a particular concern. For
those who needed it, it was not available in the area. Some (males and females) had slept rough due
to a lack of emergency housing. A few had received housing but in Murray Bridge or the city where
they were isolated from family and social support.
A lack of community resources, particularly in terms of housing, transport, and amenity associated
with social interaction, recreation and entertainment seems to contribute to the behaviour of this
group of young people; they hang around local take away shops, drink in public places and wander
around aimlessly at night because of a lack of anywhere else to gather (public or private). This
behaviour is often seen in a negative light by other young people who consider it threatening or
contributing to the area’s bad or ‘bogan’ reputation.
How can council respond to the needs of young people in the short term
When asked what council could do in the short term, the following suggestions were made
consistently across groups:
Local youth web portal where young people can find out about their local community, gain
access to health, education, justice and housing services, connect with other young people and
be involved in the generation of ideas and the process of decision making for the community.
Sunday market – but it must include stalls of interest to young people and be on in the
afternoon as many young people are not out and about in the morning
Graffiti wall, graffiti expo
Facilitate a culture of busking and public art
More seating in central retail areas
How can council respond to the needs of young people in the longer term
When asked what council could do in the longer term the following suggestions were made
consistently across groups:
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Needs assessment of young people in the Mt Barker Council District – November 2009