The Australian Government is providing up to $20 million in funding for early intervention projects and up to $10 million for security infrastructure through round six of the Safer Communities Fund.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said this funding will help ensure people in our local communities feel safe as they go about their daily lives.

“We’ll continue to work closely with local councils and local community organisations to identify infrastructure projects that can be supported through this funding,” Mr Joyce said.

“The early intervention funding stream will provide support for at-risk young people to help them turn away from crime and build positive relationships and skills.

“The security infrastructure stream will build on numerous local projects delivered under previous funding rounds of this program such as new CCTV cameras and security lighting at Armidale, Guyra, Tamworth, Kootingal, Merriwa and Inverell.

“We’re lucky to live in a level of safety and security which would be the envy of many less fortunate countries across the world but we should still strive for better and that’s what these grants will help achieve.”

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood said this announcement is delivering on the Coalition Government’s commitment to deliver safer communities through crime prevention initiatives.

“Local communities can feel safer from violence, harassment and anti-social behaviour following these initiatives,” Assistant Minister Wood said.

The Safer Communities Fund is a long-standing program that has invested more than $215 million since 2016 and provided over 600 grants directly to local communities.

Grant opportunity guidelines for the early intervention and infrastructure funding streams will be available at www.business.gov.au. Guidelines include information about how to apply, eligibility and assessment criteria.

The Coalition Government announced $35 million (including program administration costs) from 2020-21 to 2023-24 to fund round six of the Safer Communities Fund in Budget 2020-21.

The early intervention grant opportunity is open now and closes 22 July 2021. Security infrastructure grants open on 15 June 2021 (closing 5 August 2021).

(ENDS)