The NSW Government is ramping up its efforts to build stronger, safer communities by investing in initiatives that directly support young people across regional areas.
Recognising the unique challenges faced by youth in non-metropolitan communities, this action plan focuses on providing more opportunities, improving safety, and reducing risk factors that lead to disadvantage.
Through targeted programs, partnerships with local organisations, and funding for youth-focused services, the government aims to create safer environments and positive pathways for young people.
This move not only enhances community well-being but also empowers the next generation with the tools and support they need to thrive. It’s a proactive step towards long-term regional resilience and a more inclusive, supportive future for all.
Read More: NSW Government Acts to Enhance Community Safety and Support Regional Youth
Legislative Reform
Targeted Amendments to the Bail Act
A key component of the legislative package includes a temporary amendment to the Bail Act 2013, introducing an additional bail test for young people aged 14 to 18 who are charged with serious break and enter or motor vehicle theft offences while already on bail for similar offences. This measure will require police, magistrates, and judges to have a high level of confidence that the accused will not reoffend if granted bail.This is a measured and specific response designed to disrupt repeat offending and will include a 12-month sunset clause, allowing the policy’s impact to be evaluated before any permanent changes are considered.
New ‘Posting and Boasting’ Offence
To combat the rise of online “performance crime,” a new offence will be introduced under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). Individuals who commit break and enter or motor vehicle theft and post material online to advertise their crimes will face an additional penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment. This provision will be subject to statutory review after two years to assess its effectiveness in curbing this behaviour.
A Place-Based Response in Moree
A total of $13.4 million will be invested in a targeted pilot initiative in Moree to address local crime and enhance youth engagement. This place-based model will serve as a blueprint for possible expansion into other regional communities if proven successful.
Key initiatives include:
- Enhanced Judicial Support: Additional resources will be provided to the Local and Children’s Court jurisdictions, including Legal Aid, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and NSW Police, for a six-month period.
- New Bail Accommodation and Support Service: A $8.75 million service will be co-designed with community stakeholders to provide secure, culturally appropriate accommodation and 24/7 child-safe care. This will offer courts and police greater confidence in granting bail, particularly for Aboriginal youth, while ensuring access to support networks, cultural guidance, and stable staffing.
- Service Coordination and Action Plan: An Action Plan will be developed within six months to streamline and improve service delivery in Moree. This includes better coordination, accountability, and expanding access to after-hours youth services and safe spaces.
- Out-of-Hours Youth Activities: Programs will be delivered in partnership with Moree Plains Shire Council and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. Initiatives may include subsidised entry and extended operating hours at facilities like the Moree Pools, SHAE Academy, and PCYC.
- Continued NSW Police Force Operations: Operational support will continue in the Moree area, including surge deployments and the continuation of Operation Youth Safe, a proactive strategy combining education, engagement, and early intervention for at-risk youth.
A Proactive Step Toward Safer Communities
These reforms represent a bold and comprehensive response to the rising concerns of community safety and youth reoffending in regional NSW. By combining legislative reform, community-led solutions, and strategic investment, the NSW Government is working to disrupt the cycle of youth crime and build safer, more resilient communities across the state.
NSW Government Unveils $26.2 Million Package to Boost Regional Community Safety and Youth Support
The NSW Government has launched a comprehensive $26.2 million package of reforms and programs to enhance community safety and provide greater support for young people across regional NSW. These initiatives focus on early intervention, crime prevention, and targeted legal reforms, developed in response to escalating concerns about youth offending and safety in regional areas.
Addressing Regional Crime and Youth Reoffending
Recent data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reveals that crime rates in regional NSW continue to outpace those in metropolitan areas. Compounding this challenge is the rise of “performance crime”—a troubling trend where offenders, particularly youths, record and share criminal acts such as motor vehicle theft on social media.This emerging phenomenon poses significant risks by glamorising crime and encouraging imitation. Communities are calling for a stronger response, and the NSW Government is acting to ensure that regional towns are safe, and that young people are diverted from criminal paths.
Three-Pillar Reform Strategy
The government’s approach focuses on three core elements:
Legislative Reform
To target repeat youth offending and social media-driven criminal behaviour, the NSW Government will introduce key legislative changes:
Amendments to the Bail Act 2013
A new, temporary additional bail test will apply to young people aged 14–18 who are charged with serious break and enter or motor vehicle theft offences while already on bail for similar offences. Courts and police will be required to have a high degree of confidence that the individual will not reoffend.
New Offence for ‘Posting and Boasting’
A new provision in the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) will impose an additional 2-year penalty for individuals who commit serious crimes and post content online to promote or advertise their actions. This reform aims to deter offenders from using social media to glorify illegal behaviour and will be reviewed two years after implementation.These legislative changes are designed to be measured, evidence-based, and time-bound, featuring a 12-month sunset clause to evaluate their impact.
Place-Based Response in Moree
A pilot initiative in Moree will receive $13.4 million in funding to implement tailored responses that address local crime, provide alternatives for youth, and restore community confidence. This program includes:
Enhanced Judicial Resources
Additional support for Local and Children’s Courts, Legal Aid, Police, and Aboriginal Legal Services for six months to speed up case resolution and improve judicial access.
New Bail Accommodation & Support Service
An $8.75 million facility will offer safe housing and supervision for young people on bail, co-designed with community stakeholders. It will include cultural and family supports for young Aboriginal people, with 24/7 on-site staffing.
Moree Youth Services Action Plan
A six-month strategic plan will be developed to improve coordination and delivery of youth services, with a particular focus on extending night-time and after-hours support.
Community Activities
Out-of-hours activities in partnership with Moree Plains Shire Council and Aboriginal organisations—such as extended pool hours, subsidised access to PCYC and the SHAE Academy—will provide constructive alternatives to crime.
Ongoing Police Operations
NSW Police Force will continue enhanced operations in the region, supported by Operation Youth Safe—an early intervention initiative targeting at-risk youth.This place-based response will serve as a pilot model for other regional communities facing similar challenges.
Broader Regional Crime Prevention Initiatives
- Beyond Moree, the NSW Government will invest $12.9 million in broader regional crime prevention programs across the state, including:
- Expansion of Youth Action Meetings (YAMs) in nine Police Districts to improve local agency coordination and early youth engagement.
- Expansion of the Safe Aboriginal Youth Patrol (SAY) Program to five additional Closing the Gap (CTG) priority areas, offering culturally safe patrols to help protect Aboriginal youth from becoming victims or perpetrators of crime.
- Justice Reinvestment Grants totalling $7.5 million will continue to be rolled out, with recipients to be announced from June 2024. These grants are focused on long-term community-led solutions to reduce incarceration rates.
A Whole-of-Government and Community Approach
The new strategy reflects extensive engagement with regional stakeholders over several months and brings together police, schools, health services, Aboriginal organisations, and NGOs.
Leadership Voices on the Reform Package
Premier Chris Minns said:
“We’re responding to what regional communities have told us. These reforms look at the big picture—working at the whole-of-community level to intervene early and give young people a real chance. We won’t leave regional areas behind.”
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley added:
“Our police officers in regional NSW are doing an outstanding job. These reforms provide the tools and support they need to keep communities safe, especially through programs like expanded Youth Action Meetings.”
Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib emphasised:
“Striking the balance between public safety and opportunity for youth is critical. These measures strengthen our ability to divert young people from the criminal justice system.”
Attorney General Michael Daley stated:
“We’re responding directly to regional concerns with serious legislative action—particularly around repeat offenders and those promoting crimes online. Our goal is fewer young people entering the system through better prevention.”
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty concluded:
“This is a deeply considered plan built around community input. We’re investing in better coordination, after-hours services, and targeted programs that will uplift regional towns and their young people.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the total funding allocated for these initiatives?
The NSW Government has committed $26.2 million to a broad set of regional crime prevention reforms. This includes $13.4 million for a targeted response in Moree and $12.9 million for state-wide regional programs.
What is the new bail law about?
The Bail Act will be temporarily amended to include an additional test for 14–18-year-olds charged with serious motor vehicle or break-and-enter offences while already on bail. Courts and police must be confident the offender will not reoffend before granting further bail.
What is the ‘posting and boasting’ offence?
A new offence will introduce an extra 2-year penalty for individuals who commit certain serious crimes and post content online that promotes or advertises their illegal acts. This targets “performance crime” shared on social media.
Why is Moree receiving a specific response?
Moree has been identified as a high-need community due to increasing youth crime and social disruption. The government will pilot an intensive support model there, which may be extended to other regional towns in future.
What are Youth Action Meetings (YAMs)?
YAMs bring together police, community leaders, and service providers to identify at-risk youth and coordinate early intervention strategies. These will be expanded to nine additional Police Districts.
Conclusion
The NSW Government’s comprehensive investment in regional crime prevention marks a decisive step toward safer, more supported communities. With over $26 million in combined funding, the reforms focus on early intervention, youth engagement, and stronger legal tools to combat repeat offending and harmful social media trends.
