NSW Country Mayors have welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement on Friday of $23 million to tackle youth crime and build safer regional communities. “What is truly pleasing to see here is the clear acknowledgement of a regional crime issue and a proactive response,” Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM said.
The Minns Labor Government’s $23 million announcement in targeted funding to address youth crime and improve community safety across regional New South Wales. The new investment 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 bolsters support 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,” Mayor 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, according to Mayor 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,” Mayor Firman said.
“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.”
“The CMA Board and members know there’s still lots more to do. This funding package builds on the strong steps the NSW Government has already taken, including tougher bail laws for repeat offenders; a ‘post and boast’ offence targeting online glorification of crime; $13.4 million for Moree’s targeted response; $5.5 million for youth diversion and violence reduction programs paid police recruits to boost frontline numbers; stronger knife laws under Jack’s Law; and the release of the Doli Incapax review to guide future reform,” NSW Premier the Hon. Chris Minns MP said.
“This package is about giving local people the tools they need to turn things around for their young people,” he added.
NSW Minister for Police, the Hon Yasmin Catley emphasised the hard work the Police Force puts in to address youth crime and steer kids towards making better choices. “We know we can’t arrest our way out of this which is why the Government is working to help break the cycle by implementing targeted diversionary programs and addressing the root drivers of this offending,” she said.
Mayor Firman has 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 percent of farmers have been victims of crime, including stock theft but researchers have also found that only 30 percent 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.
Mayor Firman reiterated that the announcement of funding to address youth crime issues was most welcome. “We should note that not all rural, remote and regional communities have high crime rates but they do appreciate the attention of their Premier and Police Minister.”