Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton pictured with some of the staff and participants at Making Tracks Far West.

At-risk youth in Broken Hill, Dubbo, Lake Cargelligo and Moree will be further supported to get their lives back on track thanks to $1,483,919 in Federal Government funding for BackTrack Network to increase its capacity and capability.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said funding has been provided under round six of the highly-successful Safer Communities Fund. This round of the Safer Communities Fund targeted organisations with experience in providing early intervention activities.

“All local residents deserve to feel safe, and all of our young people should have the chance to achieve their full potential,” Mr Coulton said.

“The BackTrack Network is a fantastic initiative which provides at-risk youth with essential life skills, as well as education and training opportunities to help them to become work ready and ultimately secure employment.

“This funding will be split between the BackTrack Network, providing educational, training, diversionary and community engagement activities to participants of Making Tracks Broken Hill, LeaderLife Dubbo, Down the Track Lake Cargelligo and FlatTrack Moree in my electorate, with the aim of providing early intervention in reducing youth crime and anti-social behaviour in these communities.

“I’m a big supporter of each of these organisations which are doing a great job to improve the lives of young people.

“The Coalition Government is backing our community-led solutions to crime – to ensure all residents can go about their daily lives free from violence, harassment and anti-social behaviour.”

Mr Coulton today visited Making Tracks to find out how this funding will benefit youth in Broken Hill.

“Julie Gill is doing a great job here in Broken Hill and this funding will go a long way in further establishing Making Tracks and providing positive life pathways for the local participants,” Mr Coulton said.

Making Tracks CEO Julie Gill said the program has made significant progress in empowering disengaged young people since it was established in 2019, and this funding will allow this work to continue.

“We’re really excited about this funding, which is our first joint venture with the other Trackers,” Ms Gill said.

“We’ll be using this funding to continue running our program and helping more young people that are having a tough time.

“This will assist us to take on more youth in need.”

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood said the additional funding was in response to overwhelming demand from the community and will support organisations with demonstrated experience in helping marginalised youth, to build resilience, strengthen community connections and job readiness skills.

“These community organisations do vital work in helping get young people on the right track. We know that some young people engage in activities or have negative experiences that leave them at risk of joining gangs, committing serious crimes and disengaging from the wider community,” Assistant Minister Wood said.

“The challenges we’ve faced over the last two years as a result of the pandemic have only added to the sense of social isolation and disconnection that some young people feel.

“This program ensures young people can get the support and assistance they need.  I thank and congratulate the local grant recipients for their ongoing work, which we are proud to support. It’s all about creating a stronger, safer community.”

The funding will be delivered under the latest round of the Safer Communities Fund which has invested more than $265 million and provided over 720 grants directly to local communities to deliver grass roots crime prevention initiatives since 2016.