The NSW Government is committed to investing in Moree and its community to address crime, support young people and improve safety. We have listened to the local community and organisations in Moree. The NSW Government is working side-by-side with stakeholders. This is so activities and projects on the ground meet the needs of Moree locals.
Support measures in Moree
Several activities have been funded by the NSW Government in partnership with local organisations. This is part of a NSW Government $1 million investment to boost after-hours activities in Moree in response to community feedback.
Three large organisations in Moree have received NSW Government funding to expand and improve after-hours activities for young people in Moree since March 2024. Check out their websites or social media to learn more:
A grants program for after-hours activities also ran from 2024 to 2025. You can read more about the grants program and positive after-hours feedback below on this page.
We are now working with the community on options for the next phase of after-hours grants funding.
The NSW Government reviewed services in Moree Plains that support young people who are in contact with the criminal justice system, and their families.
This review happened between August 2024 and March 2025.
We did this review to:
- understand gaps in services
- see if any services are duplicated
- improve service delivery
- find ways to make the service system stronger;
An Action Plan has been developed. The Plan is based on the findings of the service review. The plan has 53 actions.
More than 20 actions are already in progress or ongoing. Other actions will take longer to complete. This is because change takes time to get right. We want to make sure the Moree community benefits.
You can read more about some of the actions underway and positive signs we are seeing in Moree below.
Read the Moree Service Review Report and Action Plan. (PDF 1.87MB)
The Moree Bail Accommodation Program or Maruma-li Walaay (Healing Camp) is for young people in Moree:
- on police or court bail
- who cannot safely live at home
The accommodation will have a dedicated team of trained staff. These staff will provide safe and supportive 24/7 care. This will ensure continuous support for young people in a culturally safe, family-style environment.
Critical maintenance and operational works are underway on the accommodation. This is to make sure it is fit for purpose. Maruma-li Walaay will be open in early 2026.
A day program is already in place supporting young people at risk. It includes transport, cultural activities and on-Country programs.
Maruma-li Walaay aims to:
- reduce reoffending, increase education and wellbeing supports, and create safer communities
- support young people to strengthen and/or rebuild connections to family, culture and community
- work with key community knowledge holders to help young people change their offending behaviours
- build practical life skills and engage young people in education and employment opportunities.
Aboriginal leadership is at the heart of this program. It is being delivered by a consortium (group) of three local Aboriginal organisations. The consortium includes Miyay Birray Youth Service, Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service and Moree SHAE Academy. They are designing and delivering the service in partnership with Youth Justice NSW and the Moree community.
The Moree LGA Youth Crime Governance Group (the Group) was established in May 2024. The Group:
- represents the voices of community, young people and victims
- shares decision-making with the NSW Government
- analyses data to build a shared understanding
- oversees the implementation of the Action Plan for Moree
This approach aligns with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. It recognises the importance of local decision-making, capability building and shared data governance with the Moree Aboriginal community. The Group is made up of representatives from:
- Moree Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
- Community representatives
- Just Reinvest NSW
- Moree Plains Shire Council
- Premier’s Department including NSW Aboriginal Affairs
- NSW Police Force
- Department of Communities and Justice
Grants Program
The Moree After Hours Activities for Young People Quick Response Grants Program provided grants to individuals and community organisations in Moree.
The grants were from $500 to $10,000 (and up to $25,000 through a more demanding assessment process) to fund after-hours youth activities in Moree. The program saw 30 activities delivered by 18 local organisations.
Grant applications closed in May 2025.
Positive signs in Moree
There is still work to do but we are seeing signs of progress. Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) data for Moree from the last two years to September 2025 shows:
- a fall in property crime
- stable levels of violent crime, break ins and vehicle theft
- a reduction in legal actions against young people – down from a peak in 2022/23. This includes a decrease in the number of young people proceeded against for car theft and break and enter offences.
Feedback from funding recipients and program participants:
- Miyay Birray, PCYC and SHAE Academy all reported positive attendance and engagement from young people in after-hours activities, helping them stay off the streets at night and build support networks, practical life skills and connection to culture.
- Miyay Birray’s StreetBeat bus completed 8,300+ pickups and covered 26,000km+ in its first twelve months of operation (up to October 2025).
- On average, 40 young people attend PCYC’s U-Nites program each night, with some nights seeing almost 90 young people attend.
- Improved confidence and motivation, and reduced interest in risk-taking and offending behaviour, for young people.
- Increased accountability, transparency and collaboration between service providers.
We are also seeing progress with activities in response to the Moree Action Plan:
- The Sista Speak and Bro Speak programs have been re-established at Moree Secondary, driven by newly appointed staff. A mobile barbership is to be fitted out at the school in 2026.
- A new wellbeing and health in-reach nurse has commenced at Moree East Public School.
- Cultural programs have been established to support transition and develop stronger connections between Year 6 Moree East and Year 7 Moree Secondary students.
- TAFE employer and apprenticeship pathways have been established in collaboration with the Warrama-Li organisation.
- New contracts under the Department of Communities and Justice’s Community and Family Support Program have commenced.
NSW Government place-based response
Learn more about the NSW Government’s response across NSW to regional youth crime– especially in rural and regional areas.