Over a fifth of all Victoria’s young people live in ten local government areas: the “interface” councils of Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra Ranges. These young people are growing up in some of the largest, youngest and fastest-growing communities in the state.
This paper describes the findings of our research and consultations with youth service providers in Melbourne’s interface council areas. We outline the strengths of these communities, their most pressing challenges and emerging issues, and the “gaps” in service provision to be addressed through planning and investment.