Western Downs communities 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.

‘Project Reset’, a collaboration between the Chinchilla Community Centre, Tara Neighbourhood Centre, and Murilla Community Centre, has been awarded $345,500 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 Western Downs communities 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 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.”

Mr Littleproud said that Project Reset will provide local youth in Chinchilla, Tara and Miles with the support they need to help keep them away from negative influences and anti-social behaviour.

“Acknowledging the limited capacity of parents/guardians to travel long distances for extracurricular activities, ‘Project Reset’ will facilitate access to sporting and recreational activities. We know that participation in these interests develops key life skills like discipline and teamwork, as well as creating a connection to peers and community that fosters respect.”

‘Project Reset’ will target a total of between 30 to 50 youth, aged 12 to 16, who display risk factors.

The additional funding was in response to overwhelming demand from the community 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 the Chinchilla Community Centre, Tara Neighbourhood Centre and Murilla Community Centre 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.