Premier backs youth crime programs at Brewarrina, Bourke, Walgett and Coonamble

Premier Chris Minns at Yetta Dhinnakkal with Brewarrina Shire Council General Manager David Kirby and Brewarrina Shire Mayor Tom Stanton. Photo: Ian Cole

Story: Chris Rieger

Premier Chris Minns has told NSW Parliament that he’s instructed his officials to progress a pilot youth diversionary program at Yetta Dhinnakkal near Brewarrina to reduce youth crime rates.

In a statement last week, NSW Premier Chris Minns said that his government would double funding for summer holiday youth programs run by local councils at Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett, and Coonamble.

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, recently hosted both the Premier and Attorney-General Michael Daley on separate trips to Yetta Dhinnakkal to view the existing facilities and meet with the Bourke Tribal Council, Maranguka, police and the four local councils.

These local stakeholders wish to use the site for a facility where young people with lower-level offences would be sent to a residential program to confront their behaviour and divert them from pursuing a life of crime.

In response to a question from Mr Butler, the Premier was enthusiastic about the proposal. […]

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