The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is inviting young people to a youth voice forum on April 10 to learn what they thing the council should prioritise during the next year. 

Lucilla Marshall, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council group manager community place, said it was an exciting opportunity to hear directly from young people.

"This is the first time we will have tried something like this but we think trying to understand what young people think is important is vital for council," Ms Marshall said.

"When we do community consultation it is usually during the day and we find it really hard to engage with young people on the issues of concern to them.

"At this forum we are wanting to hear from young people and students from all over the Hastings as this is an opportunity to hear directly from them about the issues they care about."

Ms Marshall said council hoped the forum would be well attended by young people.

"Last month we had the NSW Governor in Port Macquarie and we gathered a group of passionate and engaged young people and it was fantastic to hear some of the issues they care about," she said.

"From the environment to housing and sustainability young people right across the Hastings have opinions and ideas about how council can plan for the future and we want to hear from them.

"We have the Youth Advisory Council which is excellent but we are also looking for more ways to engage young people.

"The morning will consist of workshops and it will be a case of council listening to young people not us standing at the front of the room talking to everyone."

The forum will be held at the Glasshouse on April 10 from 8am-11am. The council is also working with schools to ensure students will be able to attend.

To register for the forum click here.

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