$15m funding partnership to tackle regional crime with life skills and brekkie
Troubled country towns will the focus of a $15 million “game-changer” Minns government-PCYC partnership aimed at tackling the youth crime crisis.
Troubled country towns will be the focus of a $15 million “game-changer” Minns government-PCYC partnership with initiatives such as exercise, breakfast and a lift to school to be dramatically expanded across the state.
Programs preparing young people to get a job, not blow their salary and dealing with knock-backs will also be rolled out into new areas along with those focused on wellbeing and leadership.
Sporting programs – including new sports such as pickleball – will also be expanded into new regional areas in a move the PCYC estimates will reach an additional 10,000 young people.
The operating hours of PCYC centres in towns such as Walgett will also be extended to later at night to give teens not wanting to go home because of domestic violence or other reasons a safe space after a school.
The four-year funding deal comes amid the ongoing regional crime crisis with Walgett Shire Council mayor Jasen Ramien and general manager Andrew Brown last month urging state and federal leaders for help after a machete was held to a mother’s throat at the local swimming pool.
While the PCYC has been offering its “fit for life” exercise and breakfast program for years, its NSW CEO Ben Hobby said the funding injection would enable it to be expanded along with employment, wellbeing and culture and community programs into new regions.
“In some towns, we are looking at things like changing the operating hours of our centre for kids who don’t want to go home after school and need a safe place to go,” Mr Hobby said.
“We’ve got programs to help get a job, how to budget and not blow all your money when you get a job. We also have minibuses that run them to school because, when they come here to do their exercise and see their mates are going, they’re more likely to go.
“This is a big, big deal. We will be able to elevate all our program and also help retain staff.”
The funding will also help send an “100 per cent indigenous” basketball team to the US in April next year where players will compete with specially-selected high schools.
The Minns government, which has made breaking the cycle of reoffending and preventing at-risk youth from entering the justice system a” key priority”, is contributing $10 million to the partnership with the PCYC injecting $5.6 million.
On Thursday, Premier Chris Minn met with Mr Ramien, Mr Brown and a group of regional mayors for a second meeting on the regional youth crime crisis, with the government announcing it will introduce a range of short-term measures as it works towards a longer term plan.
To be introduced over summer, the measures will include free entry to local pools and holiday programs, and extending night transport hours over summer.
Police have also been stepping up their activity in regional community hotspots with more than 300 people charged with over 1800 offences since March as part of Operation Soteria.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the government was determined to tackle regional youth crime “and we’re in it for the long haul”.
PCYCs were vital in the bush, providing “positive spaces” where police and young people could “build trust and respect”, she said.
“These are the kinds of relationships that can change a young person’s future,” Ms Catley said.
Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said the funding would give the PCYC a solid foundation to work up its programs.
“This multi-year funding commitment will be a game changer for young people across regional NSW,” she said.
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Originally published as $15m funding partnership to tackle regional crime with life skills and brekkie
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