South Burnett to be made safer with major funding boost

March 11, 2022

The Coalition Government is delivering a $50 million funding boost to 75 practical community-led projects across Australia, to support their work with high-risk young people to break the cycle of repeat offending.

South Burnett CTC’s “The best thing that happened today” project has been awarded $709,853 in funding under round six of the highly successful Safer Communities Fund to improve community safety and help divert local at-risk youth from a life of crime.

Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said he was pleased that the South Burnett community had the chance to benefit from the early intervention funding.

“All local residents deserve to feel safe and all of our local young people should have the chance to achieve their full potential,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The ‘best thing that happened today’ project will change the internal community story and provide local youth in the South Burnett with the support they need to keep them away from negative influences and anti-social behaviour.”

“The Coalition Government is backing our community-led solutions to crime – to ensure all residents can go about their daily lives free from violence, harassment and anti-social behaviour.”

The project will target over 1,000 youth aged 12 to 24, and will be delivered in Nanango, Kingaroy, Murgon, Proston, Wondai and Blackbutt.

The additional program funding was in response to overwhelming demand and will support organisations with demonstrated experience in helping marginalised youth, to build resilience, strengthen community connections and job readiness skills.

Mr Littleproud lauded the community organisations doing vital on-the-ground work to help get young people on the right track.

“We know that some young people engage in activities or have negative experiences that leave them at risk of joining gangs, committing serious crimes and disengaging from the wider community,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The challenges we’ve faced over the last two years as a result of the pandemic have only added to the sense of social isolation and disconnection that some young people feel.”

“This program ensures young people can get the support and assistance they need. I thank and congratulate South Burnett CTC for their ongoing work, which we are proud to support. It’s all about creating a stronger, safer community.”

The funding will be delivered under the latest round of the Safer Communities Fund which has invested more than $265 million and provided over 720 grants directly to local communities to deliver grass roots crime prevention initiatives since 2016.