Safer Communities Development Fund
2005 Review: The Crime Prevention Division has commissioned the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) to undertake a review of the Division's crime prevention planning funding and grant opportunities.
Due to the review process these grants are currently not available. Updates will be detailed on this website.
Background: Previously, the Crime Prevention Division has administered the $1.15 million Safer Communities Development Fund to provide financial support for a range of activities which can prevent crime such as: new approaches to crime prevention in NSW that can be implemented throughout the State; specific crime prevention activities; local councils with crime prevention plans endorsed as Safer Community Compacts, and crime prevention activities in communities with operational areas.
For details, contact the Division's 'Regional and Aboriginal Programs' team, by email: cpd_unit@agd.nsw.gov.au or phone: 02 9228 8307.
Examples of previous grant recipients:
IMPORTANT NOTE: These grants were previously available and, pending review outcomes, may be in the future.
Innovative project grants have been made available to community based agencies for the development of programs, resources or interventions that have not been previously trialed in New South Wales. Successful applications have demonstrated that the project has not been implemented in any similar manner in NSW.
South West Sydney Area Health Service Adolescent Peer Support Program ($46,000.00)
This project targets families with school aged children in which there is at least one parent affected by mental health problems. Its skill based peer support group aims to enhance the young person’s coping skills and provide a support network of young people in similar circumstances, to expand opportunities for social support and the development of strategies for dealing with confused and difficult living environments.
South Sydney Youth Services: Koori Justice Program ($127,316.00)
The project works with Aboriginal young people who are at risk of offending or are offending because of family dysfunction, due primarily to death within the family. Central to this project is the knowledge that Aboriginal families do not get appropriate support and counselling for grief and loss. Death is an everyday occurrence for Aboriginal people and these deaths are often connected to past and present injustices. The project uses the skills of professional counsellors, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, in conjunction with the knowledge, skills and resources of a healing nature that Aboriginal people can impart because of their experiences.
Coonamble Neighbourhood Centre ($70,492.00)
The project provides a local community radio service with a focus on positive parenting, integrated with government and community services, including Aboriginal content and presenters. The project is developing a model to reduce child neglect and delinquency through local community action, communication and inter-action in rural areas of NSW.
Planet Ultra ($11,724.00)
The project involves at-risk young people in the Hunter Region (in both metropolitan and rural areas) in critical debate and discussion on crime related matters to identify ideas and images required to produce photo-language cards and an accompanying booklet.
Sex Workers Outreach Project ($36,259.00)
This is an education project, including legal resource production, for sex workers in massage settings and related service providers. Through an education based strategy, workers in the massage industry are being assisted to identify and operate within the law and reduce the risk of committing criminal activity. Service providers to the industry, including Police and Local Councils, are also receiving training on the relevant issues.
UNIYA - Mentoring Project ($35,466.00)
The project provides a structured mentor system for unemployed young people in Waterloo, South Sydney, in conjunction with support systems currently in place. The efficacy of different mentoring schemes in assisting unemployed youth to improve their life circumstance and avoid crime is being compared.
Ashfield Municipal Council: Deterring Youth Crime Through Policy Development ($65,000.00)
Through extensive planning, consultation and the application of social development and community planning principles, this project seeks to determine how local government can best address issues relating to youth crime prevention through policy development. The project is producing a guide in the form of a manual to assist NSW Councils to stand as a “best practice” model in developing and implementing youth policies. Crime prevention is being viewed holistically as both a central element which should underpin all youth policies developed by local councils, and also as a specific youth issue which needs to be addressed through a specific crime prevention policy.
Streetwize Crime Prevention Comic ($76,600.00)
The project is developing and distributing a non-judgmental crime prevention comic across NSW on issues of crime prevention for young people in the 12-18 years age range. The emphasis is on examining the possible consequences of involvement in juvenile crime, looking at alternative ways of dealing with problems and promotion of relevant services and programs. It also aims to provide young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged in their access to information, advice about what services and contacts are available to them, in culturally appropriate and easy to read formats.
The Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project: “Homophobia: What Are You Scared Of?” Youth Violence Prevention Campaign ($95,000.00)
The project maintains the current campaign and is implementing a new range of strategies that will create opportunities for the strengthening of commitment against homophobic and hate related violence. The proposal will implement a State wide calendar of training opportunities for teachers and youth workers to facilitate the involvement of young people and staff in their schools/services in anti homophobic violence activities; work directly with NSW schools and the Department of School Education to facilitate the implementation of existing Departmental resources; and work directly with youth centres and juvenile justice services to develop, trial and evaluate specific activity models for their appropriateness, effectiveness and sustainability of outcome.
Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Family Community Care Centre ($27,205.60)
The project aimed to reduce the level of crime, provide support services and retain the self esteem of Koori young people by providing an educational program, cultural sessions and recreation activities, including a series of excursions to assist in the young people learning about their Aboriginal culture from their Elders and Aboriginal role models in the community. It also addressed the precursors to criminal behaviour. The young people assisted in the planning and preparation of all activities.
The Fact Tree Youth Service: “Drivin in Legal Style” ($55,222.00)
The project in the Waterloo and Alexandria/Redfern areas centres around car theft and its associated risks and behaviours. It incorporates learn to drive courses (with the desired youth outcome being a legal licence), literacy skills, a car maintenance course, rebuilding, panel beating and mechanically repairing a car to roadworthy registration level. This car will then be used after the clients have passed the written test and obtained their learners licence, for driving lessons. In conjunction with this, participants will be involved in a living skills and employment program. (awaiting final report)
Byron Bay Community Safety Committee: Providing Community Based Solutions to Prevent Harm to Young People at Special Events ($56,000.00)
The Byron Bay Community Safety Committee was established as a result of community concern after the 1993/1994 riot on New Years Eve. A video was produced highlighting harm minimisation strategies implemented by the BBSC to reduce the harm associated with young people at special events; show in the video strategies that have been used to involve young people in the preparation and participation of a special event so that they have ownership of that event; demonstrate strategies that have assisted the community to understand the needs of youth at special events and to reduce the levels of community concern regarding youth behaviour at special events and highlight strategies that reduce factors that initiate anti-social behaviour and violence in young people as a result of celebration, music, alcohol and community perception.
High Street Youth Health Service for the Streetz Working Party: Parramatta Central Business District (CBD) Public Space Research Project ($50,000.00)
The project employed a researcher to conduct a qualitative research project in the Parramatta CBD. The project primarily targeted young people 12 to 25 years of age and their relationship with public space (defined as the space open to public thoroughfare, including shopping centres, malls, public transport, parks and roads), the owners of public space, other users and the resulting crime and violence that may occur. (awaiting final report)
Glebe Youth Centre: “Hotty” Project ($56,350.00)
The project took a wide look at the issue of crime in Glebe and attempted to take a whole of community approach which also assisted in reorienting the relationships between young people and the business and residential community. The project provided short training courses which focused on conflict resolution within the context of learning café skills; practical employment skills; developing and engaging a mediation process involving young people and other residents in conjunction with the local MP; educating the members of the business community about the position of young people in Glebe so that they take a less confrontational approach to dealing with them; implementing a range of youth initiatives in business, the arts, community recreation, etc; research and development of a discussion paper on models of best practice for youth service provision and production of a short video that outlines the process used and the outcomes in order to make the information accessible as a model to others. (awaiting final report)
Blacktown Youth Services Association Inc: Public Transport & Crime Project ($48,280.00)
A community services worker was employed to link and resource young people who use the areas on and around railway stations, station staff, local police and other relevant community services. The worker assessed the perception of people using public spaces around the stations that these spaces are unsafe because of the presence of young people. They also assessed the level of conflict between local young people using the public space around the stations, other users of the space, the police and the owners of spaces, station staff and security workers. The project promoted responsible use of the space, provide information to appropriate people and agencies to allay ungrounded fears, provide training and support for railway staff, and promoted information about other youth services in the area. Legal graffiti space and the development of a skills development program was a priority to address the high incidence of graffiti on and around the stations.
A comprehensive report entitled “Not just buses and trains” has been prepared. The report covers the issues of public space, crime prevention, public transport, local crime statistics, primary research, young people and the train stations, issues at individual train stations in the area and provides proposed strategies for addressing the issues.
Newcastle Community Arts Centre: Graffiti Art Development Project ($43,655.00)
The program established legal sites and work for the development of social and arts related skills with known graffiti offenders and their close associates in the Newcastle City area. The project aimed at redirecting graffiti writers from illegal to legal work and developing their skills, both artistically and managerially. The target group was established artists and inexperienced members of the culture who generally fitted within the 13 to 20 years age group.
Lesbian & Gay Anti-Violence Project: Youth Anti-Violence Project ($50,000.00)
The project aimed to reduce the level of involvement of young people in the 15 to 24 years age group in violence against lesbians and gays by targeting young people who are either already involved in anti-lesbian and homophobic violence but who are on the periphery of this violence and who have not, as yet, developed a personal commitment to this violence, and young people who are at risk of becoming involved. A project co-ordinator was employed to devise a Statewide campaign which sought to get young people to make a statement against homophobic violence, identify and spotlight homophobic attitudes which encourage violence and stand up against homophobic violence.
Bay & Basin Community Resources Inc: Multi-purpose Hard Courts for Youth at Risk ($32,000.00)
The project aimed to redevelop a hazardous area of dense underbrush and bush which was a gathering place for youth who assemble to drink and use drugs by selectively clearing some of the scrub and undergrowth and constructing a multi-purpose hard-court area near the site. The target group was youth aged between 11 and 19 years of age, the majority of whom are from disadvantaged and single parent families. The initial impact of the project had a direct effect upon the anti-social behaviour of up to 40 youth and provided an entertainment and recreational facility for the entire youth population.
School of Psychology, UNSW: Major Influences on Development of Criminal Activity Among Young People ($57,581.00)
This was a two-stage research project which aims to specify the major influences of criminal activity among young people. A pilot study undertaken in the first year provided information about the factors influencing the initiation into criminal activity among adolescents. This informed the conduct of a more extensive and time-extended or longitudinal study. The target group was adolescents grouping up in social contexts that placed them at risk - contexts of disadvantage and poverty, limited access to opportunity, negative role modelling and racial and ethnic marginality.
Creative Times, a project of the Samaritan Foundation: Help Increase the Peace ($45,000.00)
This was a pilot project assisting juveniles who were in danger of committing violent crimes explore alternatives to violence. It assisted participants to develop protective behaviours which will allow them to make choices about the way in which they respond to conflict. The project also aimed to reduce the level of violent crime at specific schools or alternative education programs and identify models of successful practice in a variety of settings. The main target group was young people aged 12 to 18 years and their families who have displayed violent behaviour, have difficulties dealing with conflict in a positive manner or who displayed destructive behaviour to themselves or others.
Burnside Cabramatta Centre: The U-Turn Crime Prevention Project ($48,200.00)
The project employed a worker to undertake research into the Khmer, Laos, Hmong and ethnic Chinese young people to determine their particular needs and develop appropriate educational, recreational and family services that promote alternative behaviours and opportunities for at risk young people. The program focussed on three areas: the lack of leisure and recreational activities, family breakdown and abuse, and low educational achievement. A self-development project, peer assessment, activities promoting parent involvement, a social educational and recreation camp was held and focus groups and surveys were undertaken to provide data to be included in the research component.
University of Sydney, Dept of Public Health: Analysing factors associated with juvenile crime ($15,127.23)
The project analysed data from a research project that investigated the out-of-school youth population in NSW and documented levels of juvenile crime in which this population is engaged in NSW. The analysis looked at the predictors of this behaviour such as homelessness, school failure and a history of abuse.
A report entitled “Self Reported Detected Offending and its Association with other Risk Factors Amongst 16 Year-Olds who are Out-of-School in NSW” was produced as a result of the project. The report identifies three important priorities for intervention from the analysis, namely: 1) early detection of underlying social and economic distress; 2) greater effort to keep young people in education by providing alternatives where conventional schooling is unable to cope; 3) develop the capacity of community agencies to detect and help vulnerable young people, including job placement agencies.
Youth Action & Policy Association: “Making Waves” Conference ($10,000.00)
The conference was held on 26-28 June 1995 and consideration was given to the issue of what crime prevention means to the youth sector, among other issues relevant to youth, and involved young people and youth workers from around NSW working together on a range of issues facing young people.
Five workshops were held throughout the Conference on young people and power; women and men; young people and justice; health; cultural diversity. Special discussion groups on particular issues and entertainment were also conducted. An Evaluation Report was produced, including issues raised, recommendations from each sessions and action to be taken on those recommendations.
Bolloway Community Services Aboriginal Corporation: Employment of an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer ($9,900.00)
An Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer was employed to assist in the establishment of a Koori Juvenile Cultural Revival Centre. The Officer was responsible for liaison with all services in the area relevant to young people, eg Depts of Juvenile Justice, Community Services & School Education, DEET, TAFE & Skillshare, promotion of the centre, the establishment of networks to assist in the development of preventative workshops, liaison with Aboriginal services within the Eurobodalla Shire and immediate areas, the establishment of networks & support systems for the Centre, liaison with various Koori communities & assistance to the Management Committee in planning & organising the referral, acceptance & participation of Koori juveniles who may be utilising the Centre.
Magpie Centre Inc: Goonellabah Community and Youth Centre “Lismore Streetbeat Project” ($6,500.00)
The Streetbeat Project involves paid workers driving around the streets of the area at night in a vehicle, preferably a small bus. They offer assistance to young people and provides links between these young people and all available services, activities and support. The grant is to fund the petrol costs of the project for 12 months.
Specific grants projects have previously been made available to community based agencies for the implementation of specific activities or projects that are nominated by the Division.
1. Bega Shire Council - Rural Local Government Youth Anti-Violence Project ($69,297.00 1st year; $64,966.00 2nd year)
This project will be administered by the Bega Valley Shire Council in conjunction with the House of Hope at Merimbula. The project aims to reduce violence, including sexual assault and domestic violence involving young people (both as victims and perpetrators) in the local area through the development of a co-ordinated strategy that engages all relevant local government services. Extensive consultation with young people will be undertaken to obtain their understanding of the causes of youth involvement in violence and dialogue will be fostered between young people and the broader community in this regard. From this dialogue ideas will be obtained for preventative measures against youth involvement in violence that could be undertaken by the full range of government and non-government services and organisations, individuals, families and the community as a whole. A multi-faceted Action Plan will be produced and adopted by the community via Council as a leadership body. Implementation of the Action Plan will be
ongoing.
2. Orange City Council - Prevention of Alcohol & Other Drug Related Youth Crime Project ($60,363.00 1st year; $54,032.00 2nd year)
The project will formulate a comprehensive picture of alcohol related crime in regard to the youth protagonist and victim in the Orange City area. This will be the most detailed profile to date on the nature of this problem within the local community and will provide a baseline and direction for addressing the issue. Specifically it will investigate the nature of youth crime in the area, the role played by alcohol, factors that promote or inhibit this activity, countermeasures to facilitate a true and measurable improvement in the current problem and how to sustain these countermeasures. A complete Action Plan will be developed, implemented and monitored and resources and training material will be developed in collaboration with the Crime Prevention Division.
3. South West Multicultural & Community Centre - Juvenile Crime Prevention in a Culturally Diverse Community Project ($62,050.00pa x 2 years)
The project will develop a culturally diverse youth and parent publication and youth internet homepage to address and overcome intergenerational conflict and to provide a medium for young people to identify each other ethno-specifically and interculturally to discuss issues and overcome common problems. Particular focus will be on Pacific Islanders. Built into both initiatives are educational programs on critical thinking, conflict resolution and computer skills necessary to work within a state of the art multimedia environment. Participants will participate and assist through all phases of the project and will be encouraged to pass their skills on, to tutor and mentor and to assist parents and children in bridging the generation gap.
4. Kempsey Shire Council - Aboriginal Night Patrol ($15,500.00)
This project will operate a night patrol in the Kempsey area to transport young people in public places at night to their home or some other safe place.
5. Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council - Aboriginal Night Patrol ($15,500.00)
This project will operate a night patrol in the Forster area to transport young people in public places at night to their home or some other safe place.
6. Riverina Aboriginal Sports Corporation (Narrandera) - Aboriginal Night Patrol ($15,500.00)
This project will operate a night patrol in the Narrandera area to transport young people in public places at night to their home or some other safe place.
7. Centre For Peace And Conflict Studies/The Koori Centre (University Of Sydney) - Aboriginal Night Patrol Support & Evaluation ($68,751.00)
The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies in partnership with the Koori Centre have been funded to provide support to the four local night patrols and an evaluation of the efficacy of the four patrols.
8. Moree Plains Shire Council - Safer Towns and Cities Project ($116,150.00 over 2 years)
A local crime prevention plan will be developed and subsequently endorsed by the Attorney General as a Safer Community Compact. The plan will document a co-ordinated multi-agency strategy that involves all relevant services to prevent and reduce crimes of concern to the local community. With the support of the Crime Prevention & Safety Committee, a crime prevention officer will research and seek endorsement of the crime prevention plan. The project will provide a best practice for other councils.
9. Wagga Wagga City Council - Safer Towns & Cities Project ($123,022.00 over 2 years)
A local crime prevention plan will be developed and subsequently endorsed by the Attorney General as a Safer Community Compact. The plan will document a co-ordinated multi-agency strategy that involves all relevant services to prevent and reduce crimes of concern to the local community. A collaborative approach which will ensure a particular focus on special needs groups within the local government area will be adopted. The project will provide a best practice for other councils.
10. Lismore City Council - Safer Towns & Cities Project ($118,773.00 over 2 years)
A local crime prevention plan will be developed and subsequently endorsed by the Attorney General as a Safer Community Compact. The plan will document a co-ordinated multi-agency strategy that involves all relevant services to prevent and reduce crimes of concern to the local community. A Crime Prevention Development Officer will be appointed to assist Council to address the range of issues related to crime prevention in the local government area. The project will provide a best practice for other councils.
11. Newcastle City Council - Safer Towns & Cities Project ($105,298.00 over 2 years)
A local crime prevention plan will be developed and subsequently endorsed by the Attorney General as a Safer Community Compact. The plan will document a co-ordinated multi-agency strategy that involves all relevant services to prevent and reduce crimes of concern to the local community. Council will take a holistic approach in an area in which it services a large population as well as providing regional services to residents of the Hunter. The project will provide a best practice for other councils.
12. Fairfield City Council - Safer Towns & Cities Project ($121,720.00 over 2 years)
A local crime prevention plan will be developed and subsequently endorsed by the Attorney General as a Safer Community Compact. The plan will document a co-ordinated multi-agency strategy that involves all relevant services to prevent and reduce crimes of concern to the local community. The project will consider and address the concerns of a diversity of people unique to the area to ensure an effective, locally supported crime prevention plan is achieved. The project will provide a best practice for other councils.
13. Maclean Shire Council - Community Safety Guides Project ($50,000 NCAVAC funding)
The project is aimed at restoring public confidence in the use of public spaces; promote a positive image of young people as responsible and reliable; encourage opportunities for continuing employment for young people and to reduce the incidence of crime and disorder within the targeted locations. It is envisaged that the role of the Community Safety Guides will provide community information to members of the public, including information on access and public facilities; transport, local community events, locality directions, lost children and first aid facilities. They will also contact and refer members of the public to community safety organisations such as police and ambulance; provide crime prevention awareness and safety information; and liaise with members of the community to identify local safety and crime prevention issues. CPD will fund the evaluation.
14. Canterbury City Council - Community Safety Guides Project ($50,000 NACAVAC funding)
The project is aimed at restoring public confidence in the use of public spaces; promote a positive image of young people as responsible and reliable; encourage opportunities for continuing employment for young people and to reduce the incidence of crime and disorder within the targeted locations. It is envisaged that the role of the Community Safety Guides will provide community information to members of the public, including information on access and public facilities; transport, local community events, locality directions, lost children and first aid facilities. They will also contact and refer members of the public to community safety organisations such as police and ambulance; provide crime prevention awareness and safety information; and liaise with members of the community to identify local safety and crime prevention issues. CPD will fund the evaluation.
Safer Community Compact Grants are currently under review.
2005 Review: The Crime Prevention Division has commissioned the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) to undertake a review of crime prevention plans to better understand local crime prevention planning issues. A number of local crime prevention plans will be reviewed as part of the process, along with site visits as well as interviews and surveys of other councils. The review is due to be finalised mid 2005.
Background: Local crime prevention activities are most likely to succeed when they are part of a co-ordinated approach to crime prevention in the community. Safer Community Compact Grants have been available for the financial support of particular components of local crime prevention plans that are sponsored by local government and endorsed by the Attorney General, as a 'Safer Community Compact'. If your council does not have a Safer Community Compact you may wish to encourage the development of a local crime prevention plan which includes your project
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