Study to keep kids at home

WHY DO young people leave the country? Why do they stay? Why do they return? What steps can be taken to increase the number of young people in our rural towns and communities?
These are some questions to be explored by the Parliamentary Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee during its new Inquiry into Retaining Young People in Rural Towns and Communities.
Committee chairman, Seymour MP Ben Hardman, last week called on all interested Victorians, particularly those living in rural towns and communities, to make a submission to the committee’s new inquiry.
Mr Hardman said: “The trend has been for youth to move away from regional areas to the city. We want to explore the reasons for this trend and develop strategies to ensure young people have an opportunity to live in rural towns and communities.
Submissions will be used in preparing a report to Parliament with recommendations on supporting and encouraging young people to remain in or return to their rural communities.
More information from the committee’s website, www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rrsdc, email rrsdc@parliament.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 787 202 or 9651 3580.