Tamworth place-based response

Building a safer and stronger Tamworth

Aerial view of regional NSW town, Tamworth

The NSW Government is committed to investing in the Tamworth community to address crime, support young people and improve safety.

We are listening to people living and working in Tamworth. We will work side-by-side with communities and organisations to make change.

NSW Government investment in Tamworth

The NSW Government has invested $23 million to address youth crime and improve community safety in regional NSW. From this $23 million, $5 million total is being invested in Tamworth. This funding was announced in November 2025.

This investment builds on a March 2024 announcement. This was a $26.2 million package of reforms and initiatives to support community safety and wellbeing, particularly in regional NSW.

This included legislative changes, $12.9 million to fund new state-wide prevention initiatives, and $13.4 million for a targeted response in Moree.

What is the NSW Government doing in Tamworth

The community has already shown great commitment to building a stronger and safer Tamworth.

Our approach will align with and leverage existing work and organisations in Tamworth which are all working hard to support young people and help make the community safer. This includes: 

  • Tamworth Justice Collaborative
  • Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (TACCO) Community Development Plan
  • Tamworth Regional Council's Youth Strategy Action Plan and Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan. 

The recent NSW Government investment builds on this work.

Tamworth Action Plan

The NSW Government is currently looking at existing services in Tamworth that support young people who are in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. This is to help us:

  • understand what services are available
  • learn how services are accessed
  • create an Action Plan for Tamworth.

The Action Plan will be developed in collaboration with the Tamworth Reference Group. It will be published in 2026.

Tamworth Reference Group

A local Reference Group (the Group) has been formed with local partners in Tamworth. The Group will help make sure the funding goes to the right places in Tamworth. The Group is made up of representatives from:

  • Local service providers including Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations
  • Tamworth Regional Council
  • NSW Police Force
  • Department of Communities and Justice
  • NSW Department of Education
  • University of Newcastle
  • National Indigenous Australians Agency
  • Joblink Plus
  • Centacare
  • Premier’s Department including NSW Aboriginal Affairs.

The first meeting took place on 12 December 2025. The Group will decide how often they meet.
 

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.

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