Western NSW place-based response

Building a safer and stronger Western NSW

Overview look at the Bourke township with houses and businesses

The NSW Government is committed to making communities across Western NSW safer and supporting young people. In Western NSW we are working closely with the communities of Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble and Walgett to understand support needs for young people. 

What is the NSW Government doing in Western NSW?

The NSW Government is delivering the Barwon Youth Project across Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble and Walgett. This Project aims to better understand what is driving youth offending in these areas. This information will help improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. 

This Project is part of a coordinated response. We are in contact with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, schools, local councils, government agencies and non-government service providers.  

We have also established the Barwon Youth Project Regional Leadership Executive Subgroup. This Group provides regional oversight and coordination. 

Free activities for young people

The NSW Government is funding councils to provide free sport, recreation and cultural activities for young people in Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble and Walgett.

This is immediate action to provide structured engagement opportunities for at-risk young people.

Each local council was given a grant of $80,000 for the 2025/26 summer holiday period. Councils worked with local organisations and agencies to run free programs on the ground. This included: 

  • extended hours and free entry to local pools plus water-based activities
  • night bus services in all towns making sure young people got safely home
  • extended hours and more activities at youth centres
  • healthy meals during structured activities, on buses and at events
  • extended existing holiday programs.

Councils also received NSW Government funding for school holiday activities over autumn and winter 2026.

We are looking ahead to the 2026/27 summer holiday period. We are working closely with the 4 councils and local organisations to see what this looks like. This is so we can make sure the community benefits from funding.  

Understanding service needs

The NSW Government is working side-by-side with local councils, organisations and the community to understand service needs in each town. This includes through talking with stakeholders and looking at data and observations.

A priority is on supports for youth engaging in, or at risk of engaging in, crime.

We have engaged Red Earth Advisory to undertakeservice mapping across Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble and Walgett. This includes through community meetings in July 2026 and in-person and phone interviews with individuals during August 2026.

This combined work will:

  • identify gaps and opportunities
  • coordinate core services, diversion efforts and therapeutic responses
  • develop suitable governance structures
  • direct resources where they are needed
  • inform community action plans for late 2026 and future reforms.

NSW Government place-based response

Learn more about the NSW Government's response across NSW to regional youth crime.

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