Young Mayors Program Update
As we reach the halfway point of 2026, the Young Mayors program is active across multiple Local Government Areas nationally. The work young people are leading continues to demonstrate genuine civic participation.
In Mackay, the second elected Youth Council has completed their 18-month term. They worked across priorities identified together: Recreation, Opportunity, and Wellbeing. They ran community wellbeing initiatives, consulted on local services, and raised awareness of domestic and family violence across the region. They closed out their term with Youth Fest 26, a community event conceived and delivered almost entirely by young people, featuring live music, art, sport, and free food. Nominations for the next cohort of Mackay Youth Councillors are now open.
In Cairns, a newly sworn-in Youth Council is already active, consulting with young people across the region and securing seats on the Water Efficiency Project Community Advisory Group and the 2032 Olympic Games Roadmap consultation. They are currently forming their Priority Agenda for the remainder of their term.
Behind the scenes, FYA completed an independent program review with First Nations consultancy ABSTARR, generating 13 recommendations across program design, youth leadership, and cultural safety – all now being implemented alongside live delivery. FYA also appeared at a Public Hearing for the Local Government Funding and Fiscal Sustainability Inquiry in April, presenting Young Mayors as a leading example of meaningful youth engagement in local government.
In June the Young Mayors team headed to the ALGA National General Assembly in Canberra. They connected with councils from across the country, amplifying evidence of the program’s impact and opportunities for more local councils to get involved.
Looking ahead, the second half of 2026 is shaping up to be a period of meaningful program development. FYA is developing a structured plan to embed youth voice directly into program decisions, alongside a practical induction guide to help Youth Councillors understand their role and navigate local government processes with confidence. Work is underway to review the Council Readiness Framework, standardise nomination and election processes, and actively reduce barriers to participation so that more young people can put their hand up to take part. A Community of Practice pilot will test new formats for councils to connect and share learning across the country.
We look forward to sharing more as the year progresses.
