Huon Valley Council has made sure Cygnet’s next generation has its say on the future of their community, with more than 300 students from Prep to Year 10 contributing to the new Cygnet Township Structure Plan.
Through classroom activities and surveys at Peregrine School, Cygnet Primary and St James Catholic College, students shared what they love about their town and their ideas for the future.
A strong sense of community was a recurring theme across all year levels. Grade 5 student Yara shared, “I love the kind and generous people around Cygnet because they always help out other people.”
Students also highlighted the importance of having more opportunities to get active. Grade 8 student Lewis suggested building more bike tracks or jumps at the skate park, while Grade 2 student Matilda dreamed of a public pool. Grade 5 student Clancy hoped for more nature walks, making better use of the town’s beautiful native bushland.
“Our schools and young residents have made it clear they care deeply about their town and how it grows,” said Mayor Sally Doyle. “This plan is about keeping what makes Cygnet unique while preparing for the new homes, infrastructure and services we know are coming.”
Cygnet Primary School Principal Darryl Williams said, “the sessions were extremely accessible for our students, helping them to think deeply about Cygnet’s future. The students felt that their opinions were valued, and they appreciated the opportunity to have a say about the future of their community.”
The youth engagement is part of a broader consultation process that saw strong participation from the wider community, with more than 200 people completing the online survey and 52 attendees taking part in a recent interactive design workshop.
The Cygnet Township Structure Plan will provide a blueprint for balancing growth with community priorities, including housing design, streetscapes, public spaces, heritage and local services.
Once completed, the Structure Plan will be embedded in the Tasmanian Planning Scheme to ensure that community aspirations directly shape Cygnet’s growth.
Community input, including that from young people, will inform a draft Structure Plan to be released later this year for further consultation.
The current online survey is now closed but community members who missed the deadline will have another opportunity to comment during the next consultation period later this year.
