GOING PLACES - YOUTH TRANSPORT

The Youth Committee for the Hunter launched their 2024 advocacy campaign with the release of the report  Going Places - Transport and Accessibility for Youth in the Hunter. The report highlights the critical role of transport in shaping the life outcomes of young people in the Hunter region. 

The report was officially launched by the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, The Hon. Jenny Aitchison MP, this week in Maitland. 

Key Themes of the Report: 

• Transport Links Us to Places, Opportunities, and One Another: Transport determines where we live, learn, work, and socialise. For young people in the Hunter, it is a key determinant of life outcomes. 

• Safe, Reliable, Accessible, and Frequent Public Transport: Far from being a matter of convenience, access to public transport enables young people to learn, work, play, and thrive in their home region. 

• Geographical and Experiential Diversity: The Hunter's diverse geography, from the Barrington hinterland to the metropolitan core of Greater Newcastle, mirrors the diverse experiences and needs of our young residents. 

In 2022, the Youth Committee for the Hunter conducted the region’s first comprehensive survey of young people, aged 18 to 35, to understand their needs, concerns, and aspirations for the future. Hundreds of respondents shared their experiences across various issues, including education, employment, safety, climate change, and the net zero economy. The availability and suitability of public transport emerged as a critical underpinning issue across all these areas. 

• Alice Thompson, CEO of the Committee for the Hunter, emphasises the importance of this report. 

• "This report captures the voices of young people in the Hunter and highlights how essential transport is to their daily lives and future opportunities. By improving transport and accessibility in particular public transport, we support young people in the Hunter are able to reach their full potential to build an even better future for our region. This starts with funding for public transport catching up with population growth”. 

For more information, please contact Jill Stewart, Manager, Committee for the Hunter I jill.stewart@hunter.org.au / 0491 626 348 

About the Committee for the Hunter Youth Committee: The Youth Committee for the Hunter is an advocacy body for people aged 15–35 living in the Hunter. We want to ensure that young people in the region have their voices listened to and that leaders are focused on the issues that matter to them. As a diverse group of motivated young people with representation crossing a range of communities across the Lower and Upper Hunter, the Youth Committee is the go-to for advice on youth matters in the region.