COONAMBLE, Brewarrina, Bourke and Walgett mayors are returning home with state funding for a new strategy to address youth crime, following a meeting with NSW Premier Chris Minns that was arranged by the Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.

The Premier has agreed to establish a trial site across the four Local Government Areas.

There will be a review of government-funded services to identify any “ghost services” or gaps in services.

Also, hundreds of thousands of dollars will support after-school and holiday care over the summer holidays to keep kids occupied.

Mr Butler congratulated Bourke mayor Lachlan Ford, Coonamble mayor Daniel Keady, Brewarrina mayor Tom Stanton and Walgett mayor Jason Ramien for their proactive approach, convincing the Premier to establish the trial to review services and support youth programs.

Walgett mayor Jason Ramien and NSW Premier Chris Minns (Image: Walgett Shire Council).

“I think it was a great meeting with the Premier, he’s in touch with our needs, of rural and remote NSW,” Cr Ramien said.

““We’ll be able to offer free admission to the pools and put more staff on to look after them so that kids under 14 can come in without adult supervision.”

Cr Ford also welcomed the funding.

“There’s a lot of services that we don’t really know what they do and our community for years has questioned where that funding goes,” he said.

The Premier is also considering longer-term programs, including establishing a residential diversion program at Brewarrina for young people charged with low-level crimes.

Mr Butler said crime rates will never be reduced if intervention is not established before disadvantaged young people start down a criminal pathway.

“A successful intervention is a win for the young person and a win for their community,” Mr Butler said.

“I thank the Premier for being so committed to addressing these difficult issues.”