Budding town planners were given sound advice from Council’s Development Group recently when designing a youth open space for their school project.
Development Assessment Manager Richard Jenner said Shalom College teaching staff invited Council Planning Officers to speak to their Year 7 students and collaborate with them in a workshop setting.
“The students had to design a youth open space that was both feasible to construct and operate,” said Richard.
“We were able to discuss with them key items such as location of vital supporting infrastructure including road, car parks, water and sewer services and any land constraints that their design would need to respond to, for example floods and surrounding land use.
“The students also had to take into consideration the ongoing management and operation of their open space area, including funding.”
Shalom Learning Area Coordinator Stephanie Ray said the students gained a lot from the interaction with Council staff.
“It showed them the real-world application and how our land areas are developed,” she said.
“The students found it helped their thinking particularly when Council officers spent time with each individual group after their presentation.
“They personalised the feedback for each group and refined their ideas.”
Richard said the Council officers got as much out of the experience as the students.
“When you look at the quality of the students’ posters it’s clear these young people have some great ideas,” he said.
“I think it’s terrific that schools are challenging students to think actively about the liveability factors that make the Bundaberg Region a desirable place to live, work and play.”
The students’ posters are available to view in the Development Group offices on Level 6 of the Auswide Building and at the Bundaberg Library.
