Next Gen of Cairns leaders step forward at Youth Council Forum

Sixteen young leaders from across Cairns took to the stage on Friday 29 August at the Meet the Candidates forum, sharing their vision for the city and raising the issues that matter most to their generation.

The candidates, aged between 13 and 17, are campaigning for a seat on the Cairns Youth Council – a democratically elected body that gives young people aged 11–17 a voice in the planning and decision-making that impacts their lives.

At the forum, candidates spoke passionately about the need for:

• Improved mental health and wellbeing support
• Protection of the environment
• Youth-friendly spaces and activities
• Low and no-cost events for young people
• More opportunities to shape their community’s future

The event, hosted at Council’s Civic Reception Room, gave the young candidates the chance to connect directly with their peers, Councillors, and community leaders. Each candidate addressed key questions around challenges facing young people, their ideas for solutions, and how they would ensure the Youth Council represents all voices across Cairns.

The Youth Council will be made up of 12 elected members, who will nominate a Young Mayor and Deputies, set their own agenda, and deliver priority projects during their 18-month term. The Youth Council will also have access to a $10,000 project fund, supported by the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) to deliver their priority agenda.

Voting for the Cairns Youth Council will take place Monday 8 to Friday 12 September at schools and youth friendly spaces across the region. All young people aged 11 to 17 living in the Cairns Regional Council area are eligible to vote.