Youth crime has been an ongoing community issue within Palmerston. After a string of incidents last year a task force was enacted in order to address the problem. According to NT Police offence statistics, assaults in Palmerston have dropped by more than 12 per cent over the past year, from 615 to 538. Northern Territory Police have been proactive in enacting other initiatives to engage with youth in the NT.
The Territory Labor Government has collaborated with the City of Palmerston to establish a new Youth Drop-In Centre, an initiative under the Palmerston Youth Action Plan and the Northern Territory Government’s Breaking the Cycle of Crime in Palmerston plan.
The Youth Drop-In Centre for young people in Palmerston has now reached another milestone with the contract to deliver the new facility now awarded to local business Semcorp (NT) Pty Ltd. The Drop-In Centre will be adjoining the current Swimming and Fitness Centre in Moulden.
Member for Drysdale, Eva Lawler has said,
“Initiatives like these will help to reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour in the area, that’s why we invest in grassroots facilities like these to keep our young people engaged and keep them off the streets.
“This centre will give our young people other options through structured activities and will bring about positive outcomes that ultimately the community benefit from.”
Works include the fit out of an office, kitchen, arts and craft area, TV and gaming lounge, workstations and external toilets.
Once completed, the new Palmerston Youth Drop-In Centre will:
- Operate between 3pm-10pm Monday to Friday and from 10am-10pm on weekends and throughout the school holidays;
- Be a safe space for children and young people to access appropriate support services
- Provide youth engagement activities and supervision;
- Ensure partnerships with local organisations and youth support services are established and maintained and provide a service for young people that is culturally safe;
- Respond to young people with a focus on developing positive behaviours, social skills and living skills through organised activities at the centre;
- Be fully supervised, and include security and monitoring systems to ensure safety;
- Engage with young people, their families and support networks to address concerns and build their capacity to deal with everyday issues; and
- Work with a range of education providers and stakeholders to support young people to re-engage with education and provide information for young people to assist them to access services and support.
The Northern Territory Government is working with Larrakia Nation Youth Patrol to ensure that once the centre is open, young people will be able to get to a safe place once the centre has closed each night.
A grant process will be undertaken to engage service providers to operate and manage the new facility.
Quotes from the Member for Brennan, Tony Sievers, the Member for Brennan expressed his enthusiasm for the project stating that the centre will make a difference to the young people and whole community of Palmerston.
“The Facility is close to schools and public transport which means it is in an ideal location and will make it easier for our young people to get to and from the centre.”
The Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell also expressed her ongoing support of youth in the community;
“Council is focused on supporting the community’s need for a dedicated space for young people, which is safe, fosters unity and promotes belonging, as outlined in our Community Plan.
We are pleased to be partnering with the Northern Territory Government to make sure young people in our community are engaged and supported.”
