Council supports youth through exciting partnership

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has joined forces with the Kokoda Youth Foundation on an innovative project supporting young people through hands-on environmental activities.

Earlier this year, the Foundation approached Council to explore opportunities to incorporate community-based projects into its youth development programs, providing participants with practical experiences while fostering a stronger connection to the local environment.

Council’s Environment Portfolio Councillor Cheryl Steinhardt said the partnership had proven highly successful, with the inaugural participants recently completing the six-month program.

“The On the Right Track program consists of two phases: the Hiking Phase and the Community Service Phase, providing participants with opportunities for personal growth, connection and giving back to their community,” Cr Steinhardt said.

“The Foundation’s vision was for participants to assist with revegetation activities on Council-managed land, including planting, mulching and installing tree guards.

“Our first group of five participants from Laidley State High School completed four sessions at Council's Seven Mile Lagoon revegetation site, where they made a valuable contribution to environmental restoration efforts.

“The participants were involved in planting and mulching activities, birdwatching sessions and helped deploy field monitoring cameras to identify wildlife species inhabiting the area.

“After a week in the field, the cameras captured images of several pest species, including foxes, hares and rabbits, as well as a resident female koala carrying a joey, which was a real highlight for the group.

“The participants also had the opportunity to work alongside one of our Indigenous contractors, Jake, from JTA Services, for one of the days. Jake shared his knowledge of the site and the restoration work while assisting with planting, mulching and camera monitoring activities.

“Several participants identified with Indigenous culture, and Jake's involvement provided a valuable opportunity for connection, learning and engagement. He was incredibly popular with the group.”

Cr Steinhardt said the project demonstrated the positive outcomes that could be achieved when community organisations and local government worked together.

“Not only did the participants gain practical skills and confidence, but they also developed a greater appreciation for the natural environment and the importance of caring for it,” she said.