NSW Country Mayors have welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of $23 million to tackle youth crime and build safer regional communities.
Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman and Temora Mayor, Rick Firman OAM said it was pleasing to see a clear acknowledgement of regional crime as an issue, and the provision of a proactive response.
The new investment announced on Friday focuses on two key priorities – breaking the cycle of reoffending among young people on bail and preventing at-risk youth from entering the justice system in the first place. It will see support bolstered in high-priority regional communities for bail supervision, intensive case management, and early intervention and diversion.
“Some of our CMA members continue to experience higher than average rates of youth crime, and those communities receive targeted funding in NSW Government package. It appears that they will be able to access a $12 million fund to support locally led and driven programs that focus on intervention, diversion and prevention,” Chair Firman said.
The Announcement also comprised $6.3 million to provide intensive bail supervision and support for young people. A further $5 million will establish a new Community Safety Investment Fund, open to community and non-government organisations across NSW. It will back innovative and potentially scalable local initiatives that prevent or respond to youth offending, strengthen families, and build safer, more cohesive communities.
“It is unclear when the focus of a regional crime inquiry that the CMA fought tooth and nail for was narrowed down to a youth crime investigation, however it is a major frustration in many rural, remote and regional communities, particularly where the service access inequities compared to Sydney communities is evident,” said Chair Firman.
“The long-running NSW Government Inquiry into ‘Community safety in regional and rural communities’ commenced in March 2024 and received 198 submissions.”
“The NSW Government Response to the Interim Report: ‘Addressing the drivers of youth crime through early intervention’ is due 29 November 2025.
“Given the extent to which crime rates in some regional areas exceed those of metropolitan Sydney, we hope the youth program funding from the Minns Government will be a small step on a long and challenging road. This was noted by our Premier when announcing the funding.”
Mayor Firman encouraged the NSW Government to ensure a broad focus on rural, remote and regional crime issues.
“It should also be noted that survey results and research released by the University of New England last month showed that 90% of farmers have been victims of crime, including stock theft but researchers have also found that only 30% of farm-crime incidents are reported. Domestic violence is another scourge in our communities for which smaller centres lack resources, like emergency accommodation for those who are escaping a violent home,” he said.
