The Hon. Nat Cook, Minister for Human Services (SA), The Hon. Eddie Hughes, Member for Giles (SA), The Hon. Geoff Brock, Member for Stuart (SA), Joint Media Release, 4 April 2023

The State Government is set to unveil a new plan to address the recent increase in youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Port Augusta.

In response to community concerns raised in the town and nearby Davenport, Minister for Human Services Nat Cook will announce an intensive service response which provides increased support for young people at risk.

Backed by more than $150,000 in new State Government funding, a key component of the response is the establishment of a new youth outreach team to work directly with young people in and around Port Augusta.

Staffed by skilled workers the Youth Outreach team will support young people who need help, assist them to find a safe place, and focus on increasing support services to those young people who need them.

The team will comprise workers who will be actively out and about in the Port Augusta and Davenport community after hours and on weekends, engaging and connecting with young people, in a bid to ensure safety and wellbeing.

Recruitment for the team which has the overall aim of reducing offending and anti-social behaviour, will commence as soon as possible

In addition, the State Government is partnering with local youth service providers to support young people to access recreational activities and participate in sport.

This will provide a positive avenue for many of the young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in local sporting activities.

Also included in the response are:

• Establishing a weekly Supporting Youth Collective workshop between the Department of Human Services and frontline youth service providers to rapidly respond to emerging issues and provide a coordinated response.
• Continuing the work of Human Services and other government agencies who are already meeting to work with young people who have regular contact with police and the youth justice system, alongside elders, community leaders and mentors.
• Providing additional funding to increase the opening hours of key services such as the youth centre – which will now be open Tuesday to Saturday nights from 6pm to 10pm – and extending the operating hours of the youth bus.

In addition, the State Government is finalising further plans to strengthen the Port Augusta community including investing in public housing and health, as well making significant investments in the Upper Spencer Gulf region.

Minister Cook will make the announcement in Port Augusta on 4 August 2023 at 1.30pm, at the Port Augusta Skatepark (Wharfland Reserve) along with Member for Giles Eddie Hughes.

Quotes attributable to Nat Cook

The State Government acknowledges and shares the local community’s concerns about negative issues regarding youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Port Augusta and the Davenport community. This has also attracted media attention and in turn this impacts local morale.

The Community Outreach program which started in November 2022 has been successful in reducing anti-social behaviour associated with remote visitors over the summer period and will continue to support better outcomes for the community throughout the year.

This program is mainly adult-focussed but was extended to include young people in light of reports from the community. While there has been some good progress made, longstanding social issues cannot be solved overnight.

Government agencies, SAPOL, the council, Aboriginal leaders and non-government agencies have been working together, but concerns remain about youth anti-social behaviour despite these efforts.

We hope these new measures will help young people at risk access the support they need, providing them with a safer start to their adult lives, and providing better outcomes for the whole community.

Quotes attributable to Eddie Hughes

We need to ensure that there is a strong focus on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in Port Augusta and especially amongst young people. The police are usually the first to respond when things go wrong but we all recognise that we can’t just rely on arresting youth and that we need to work on a range of medium to long term strategies.

We are increasing support and funding for a number of youth services including extending the operating hours of the youth bus and extending the hours of the Port Augusta Youth Centre along with working with organisations to provide extra activities for young people.

Youth crime and anti-social behaviour hurts the community but it also ultimately damages the young people involved and will lead in a direction that is in no one’s interest.

We see improving the situation as a major priority and we are committed to providing the resources necessary to get a better result for the people of Port Augusta.

Quotes attributable to Geoff Brock

I am pleased with this new focus on young people in our community through the establishment of the new youth outreach team.

I recognise there needs to be a lot more done through a strong coordinated and collaborated effort to ensure that we provide guidance to the next generation who can contribute to our community positively.

Supporting our youth to take a positive route, gives SAPOL the opportunity to focus on adult anti-social behaviour.

Numbers to call

The Outreach team number, 0477 748 819, is there to call when people are concerned about those who might need assistance in order to secure a safe place to go. The Outreach team is not there for an emergency response including violence or other illegal activity which can be dealt with more appropriately by SAPOL – who are active and willing partners in the program – call 131 444 for police assistance.