A young Hobart schoolgirl with a passion for sustainability has been elected as the city’s Children’s Mayor for the next year.
12-year-old Lola Mennitz from The Friends School was chosen from a field of 16 applicants to lead the ‘Children’s Council’ for the next 12 months.
At a Children’s Council meeting on Wednesday, Lola proposed a sustainable solar-powered electric ferry system across the Derwent River, an idea that was a hit with her fellow councillors.
“The [current] Bellerive Ferry is creating a lot of pollution … Instead of loading tonnes and tonnes of [fuel] into the ferries, we can just use [solar], because we already have so much sustainable energy,” she suggested.
Much like the state government’s current proposed changes to public transport ticketing in Tasmania, Lola’s proposed ferry system would utilise Metro Greencards and connect to buses.
“I wanted to see how many people would agree with my idea and I thought everyone deserves a better life, so just try and make a change,” she said.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the Children’s Mayor program is a great way to engage young people in the city’s decision-making process.
“They don’t get to vote, but they live here and they experience the city in completely different ways,” she said.
“They see the city through different eyes and so they bring new perspectives and new ideas to the table.”
“The future is in really good hands with the young people of Hobart.”
Lola will present her idea to the council’s annual general meeting and work with staff to discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing it.
Alice Plimpton, also 12, from Lansdowne Crescent Primary School, was elected as the Children’s Deputy Lord Mayor.
