Youth Engagement

Youth Spaces and Activities in Mount Barker District

Help shape the future of youth spaces, activities and opportunities in our community

Mount Barker District Council is seeking your feedback on how we can better support young people through spaces, activities and programs across the district.

A Draft Delivery Plan has been developed in response to the Youth Spaces Feasibility Study (2025)

The Study identified a need for more accessible, inclusive and welcoming spaces for young people and explored sustainable ways to deliver these across a growing district.

Why are we consulting?

The Draft Delivery Plan has been informed by:

• The Youth Spaces Feasibility Study (2025)
• The Child and Youth Action Plan 2024–2028
• Extensive engagement with young people, community members and stakeholders over the past three years
• Industry research and benchmarking of best practice approaches to youth space provision

We are now seeking additional feedback to:

• Validate these findings
• Better understand what young people will actually use
• Identify barriers to participation
• Inform how spaces and activities are delivered across the district

What is being proposed?

The Youth Spaces Feasibility Study identified that a distributed, multi-location approach offers greater accessibility and sustainability for Mount Barker than a single, standalone youth centre.

Instead, the proposed approach focuses on:

• Activating existing community spaces (e.g. libraries, community centres, skate parks and local halls)
• Delivering more youth activities and programs tailored to youth needs and preferences
• Creating flexible, youth-friendly environments
• Involving young people in decisions about youth services and spaces

This approach aims to ensure that opportunities are:

• Accessible across the district
• Responsive to local needs
• Sustainable over time

Regional Skate Park (Mount Barker)

Council is also planning a new regional skate park in Mount Barker.

As part of this consultation, we are seeking feedback on the most suitable location for this facility.

Two potential sites have been identified:

• Flaxley Road Reserve (next to Keith Stephenson Park)
• Summit Precinct

You will also have the opportunity to suggest alternative locations. Have your say by completing this survey.

Detailed design and features will be considered at a later stage.

Have Your Say

We want to hear from:

• Young people aged 12–25
• Parents and carers
• Community members
• Local organisations

You can get involved by:

• Completing the online survey
• Participating in school-based engagement sessions
• Talking to us at youth events and community locations