The results are in: Surf Coast Youth Survey
Published on 25 February 2026
More than 1,000 young people have helped shape the future of youth services and support across the Surf Coast Shire through Council’s 2025 Youth Survey.
The survey, completed by 1,047 young people aged 10 to 25, provides valuable insights that will help guide Council’s Integrated Wellbeing Plan and subsequent Youth Action Plan.
The results show young people value living on the Surf Coast, with 94% rating life in the region as good, great or amazing, 95% feeling positive about their future, and 77% saying they feel connected to their community.
Surf Coast Shire Mayor Cr Libby Stapleton said the strong response shows young people care deeply about their community.
“Our young people have told us they love where they live and have a strong sense of belonging - that’s something our whole community should be proud of,” Mayor Stapleton said.
“They’ve been clear about what they need, and this survey gives us a strong roadmap to help support them.”
Despite this strong connection, the survey found many young people are uncertain about staying in the region long term. Among respondents aged 14 to 25, 37% didn’t think they would still live, work or study locally in 10 years, with cost of living, housing affordability and limited study and employment opportunities identified as key factors.
Mayor Stapleton said the findings highlight challenges facing young people across regional communities.
“Young people are telling us affordability and opportunity will shape whether they can build their future here,” she said. “We want the Surf Coast to be a place where young people can live, work, study and thrive - not a place they feel they have to leave.”
The top four personal challenges for those surveyed were mental health and wellbeing, social connectedness, school stress and academic pressure and family dynamics.
The leading personal concern for females ages 14-25 was coping with stress, and for males of the same age it was body image.
The top four community challenges were recreation and activities, environmental concerns, technology balance and transport and access.
When asked about their relationship with social media and screens, the most common response was “addictive” (30%), compared to the most common response of “healthy” (51%) when the same survey question was asked in 2021.
While most young people reported feeling safe at home and in their community, the survey highlighted differences in safety experiences.
Only 9% of young women aged 14 to 25 said they always feel safe walking home at night, compared with 47% of young men.
Respondents aged 10 to 25 shared five themes on what would improve the Surf Coast Shire for young people:
- Recreation and sports infrastructure
- Social and entertainment venues
- Community connection and inclusion
- Accessibility and wellbeing
- Youth voice and agency
Mayor Stapleton said the results reinforce the importance of listening to young people’s lived experiences.
“Young people have spoken honestly about their challenges, and that insight is incredibly valuable,” she said.
“We’re committed to working with young people to create safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces where they feel supported and heard.”
Council will use the survey findings to help ensure future programs, services and facilities reflect the needs and aspirations of young people across the Surf Coast Shire. This is in line with its strategic objective of ‘the needs of younger and future generations inform decision making’.