Barwon MP backs ongoing PCYC program

Member for Barwon Roy Butler has met with the NSW chief executive officer of the Police Citizens Youth Clubs to discuss how to make the Wee Waa outreach program continue in the town on a regular basis.

“I met with Dominic Teakle and he is sending through what’s needed to make Wee Waa and Coonamble outreach programs ongoing,” Mr Butler told the Wee Waa News.

Earlier this year, Oxley Police District Superintendent Bruce Grassick attended the monthly Wee Waa and District Chamber of Commerce meeting and flagged a PCYC outreach program would be coming to town.

At the chamber meeting, members raised concerns about crime, the judicial process, and discussed ways to keep youth engaged, entertained and off the streets to ensure the town stays an attractive place for businesses and people to call home.

The first PCYC U Nites evening was held in Wee Waa on May 5 and Mr Butler said his office had received positive feedback about the program.

“Absolutely and we have been involved and wanted to make sure it was promoted,” said Mr Butler.

“PCYC can be incredibly successful in a community, but also in the lives of young people who might end up on a path of anti-social behaviour.

“It’s important that program runs in Wee Waa because if someone doesn’t have the availability to travel, it has to be in town so they can easily get there.”

The program aims to engage young people in a fun, safe and supervised environment and offers entertainment such as sport, craft, or games.

Breaking the cycle of boredom and preventing the trouble and dangers that can occur when country youth don’t have positive role models or activities, the U-Nites program is designed to meet the needs of the young people within the local community.

Youth related offending issues have decreased significantly in communities where PCYC programs take place, such as Walgett.

Mr Butler said he had also been speaking with the government and relevant agencies about the Young offenders Act, sentencing options and youth programs to address offending behaviour as well as prevention measures such as assistance with life skills from gaining employment to a driver’s licence.

When asked about reports of recent attacks on essential workers in Wee Waa, Mr Butler acknowledged the community’s concerns and said “everyone should feel safe in their own home and community”. He stressed the matter was an ongoing investigation and he wanted to allow police to carry out their work before commenting on individual cases.

“We don’t want our essential workers feeling unsafe,” he said.

Mr Butler said crime was being experienced in other rural towns too and he is pushing for action.

“Unfortunately, this is not just in Barwon, it is not isolated to Wee Waa,” said Mr Butler.

“If a police officer is based in one town, 85 per cent of the shifts should be carried out in that town.

“It’s really important that crime is reported, without that you can’t get the data to show there is a problem.

“Let the police know that there has been an offence committed. It’s hard for the police to push for the resources if the crime isn’t being reported.”

Mr Butler said rural towns needed “good employment opportunities, good education opportunities, good infrastructure and safety” to make them an attractive place to live and work.