Shire of Carnarvon recognised at Local Government Place Innovation Awards for The Future is Me project

A Gascoyne shire has been recognised for transforming its public spaces into vibrant areas for the community.

At the WA Local Government Association’s annual convention last week, the Shire of Carnarvon was one of three local governments to be recognised with a place innovation award.

The shire received the regional Western Australia award through its youth art projects.

The shire’s The Future is Me program involved creating a public space, including a skate park, by transforming a degraded and graffiti-riddled part of town.

According to the State Government, the project used an evidence-based method to address youth disengagement and crime.

The results showed involving young people in art-related projects was one of the most effective methods to help the community and its challenges.

According to the Shire of Carnarvon, Meraki Boho helped bring a mural to life on Egan Street in town, with the help of local youth from the after-school program Deadly Girls Group, as part of the program.

Minister for Local Government and Youth Hannah Beazley said a number of regions were using innovation to impact their respective communities.

“The great response to the awards this year demonstrates there is a lot of amazing work being carried out in our local communities to improve our public spaces and add value to our lives,” she said.

“The awards, which are only in their second year, provide a fantastic forum to showcase and promote innovative place-related projects, policies and activities throughout Western Australia.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to recognise the projects that are enhancing our local communities and are having a positive impact on local residents and businesses.”

Also recognised at the awards were the City of Melville and the City of Subiaco for the outstanding achievement and metropolitan Perth and Peel categories respectively.