Paul Litwin (Innovation Institute), Sue Dash (Chocolate Drops Yanchep) and Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts with participants. Photo: Martin Kennealey
Camera IconPaul Litwin (Innovation Institute), Sue Dash (Chocolate Drops Yanchep) and Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts with participants. Photo: Martin Kennealey Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Youth think tank generates ideas to attract tourists to Wanneroo

Lauren PilatWanneroo Times

NIGHT tours of the haunted Alkimos shipwreck and an indigenous cultural centre are ideas local youth believe will attract tourists to the City of Wanneroo.

A group of 12 children, aged 11-16 years old, generated the ideas during a Youth Innovation Think Tank to draw more visitors and tourists to the area.

Run by the Innovation Institute, the think tank encouraged children to create innovative solutions for real-life challenges, with their ideas presented to City of Wanneroo staff and Mayor Tracey Roberts.

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The institute’s Paul Litwin said the youth were presented with a challenge local governments were often presented with.

“They were split into two groups and came up with about 10 ideas that were very achievable,” he said.

“It’s about getting the children to use their 21st century skills and use the four Cs – critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication – to develop solutions that can be presented to the City and possibly implemented by council.

“It’s important for youth to be heard and these think tank forums allow that.”

Mr Litwin said other ideas the children suggested were boat tours to the shipwreck, a new bus service to Yanchep once Metronet is complete and a nature playground.

Following its success, another think tank will be held in the City of Wanneroo with local schools in September, while the cities of Rockingham and Mandurah have expressed interest to hold similar forums later in the year.