Mr GUNNER - 2009-11-24
Can you please explain how the government is reducing juvenile crime and supporting children and families in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. We all know he has very close ties to Alice Springs.
The Alice Springs Youth Action Plan is all about making our community safer, while supporting families and children in Alice Springs. The Alice Springs Youth Action Plan is probably the most comprehensive plan throughout the Northern Territory, and is one we can say we have over Darwin. This government has invested over $15m in the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan, which includes the youth hub at ANZAC Hill campus, as well as the Alice Springs middle school that we are seeing come to fruition.
As the Chief Minister alluded to earlier this afternoon, I was pleased to be with him today at the ASHS campus to see the work undertaken - $3.36m in fixing up some of the blocks there. That will see the new technical studies room upgraded and fixed, as well as the new canteen, and other classrooms being upgraded. The Chief Minister and I had the pleasure of meeting some of the students in their new uniforms.
If you look at the Youth Action Plan and the middle school, you can see by the excitement on the kids faces - we launched the new logo some months ago - they are very pleased to be part of history. A new middle school in Alice Springs does not come along very often. The kids are very excited about their future next year.
I congratulate Asbuild (NT), the successful tenderer; they have started work at the ASHS campus and work at the ANZAC campus is expected to start soon.
Some time ago, we appointed the youth services coordinator, Superintendent Michael White. As we know, the police do a fantastic job in working with our youth. Michael is doing an exceptional job as well. He is currently working with recreation and youth service providers in Alice Springs to work on a calendar of events over the school holidays. One fantastic example - and we were pleased to support it with $60 000 - is the ice rink right here in the Convention Centre. With about six weeks to go, I know the manager of the Convention Centre is very excited about that. This creativity comes along every now and then and we have to support it. The ice skating rink is one of those and it will be an important activity for youth in Alice Springs over the hot summer.
Superintendent White is overseeing the planning of a new youth hub at the ANZAC campus. There is much interest from non-government organisations also. The Richmond Football Club is very keen to get on board, as well as organisations like Mission Australia. We know the big issue in some of our schools is bullying and, talking to Richmond Football Club a couple of months ago, they are very keen to work with the students at the new middle school on that particular issue.
As the Chief Minister also alluded to earlier today, we have the Police Beat in the mall. It is fantastic and is doing great stuff. There have been great responses from the local businesses.
We have launched the No School, No Service policy, where we have over 100 local businesses signed on board. We have provided an additional $75 000 to the Gap Youth Centre. I know the member for Nelson has been there this week. They are doing some great programs with Frank Curtis from the police.
Work is continuing on providing additional safe accommodation and emergency beds for young people, and planning is under way for a residential facility for kids who cannot live at home.
Madam Speaker, we will continue to roll out our comprehensive plan. We have a plan for action, and that plan is specifically targeting families and children.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. We all know he has very close ties to Alice Springs.
The Alice Springs Youth Action Plan is all about making our community safer, while supporting families and children in Alice Springs. The Alice Springs Youth Action Plan is probably the most comprehensive plan throughout the Northern Territory, and is one we can say we have over Darwin. This government has invested over $15m in the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan, which includes the youth hub at ANZAC Hill campus, as well as the Alice Springs middle school that we are seeing come to fruition.
As the Chief Minister alluded to earlier this afternoon, I was pleased to be with him today at the ASHS campus to see the work undertaken - $3.36m in fixing up some of the blocks there. That will see the new technical studies room upgraded and fixed, as well as the new canteen, and other classrooms being upgraded. The Chief Minister and I had the pleasure of meeting some of the students in their new uniforms.
If you look at the Youth Action Plan and the middle school, you can see by the excitement on the kids faces - we launched the new logo some months ago - they are very pleased to be part of history. A new middle school in Alice Springs does not come along very often. The kids are very excited about their future next year.
I congratulate Asbuild (NT), the successful tenderer; they have started work at the ASHS campus and work at the ANZAC campus is expected to start soon.
Some time ago, we appointed the youth services coordinator, Superintendent Michael White. As we know, the police do a fantastic job in working with our youth. Michael is doing an exceptional job as well. He is currently working with recreation and youth service providers in Alice Springs to work on a calendar of events over the school holidays. One fantastic example - and we were pleased to support it with $60 000 - is the ice rink right here in the Convention Centre. With about six weeks to go, I know the manager of the Convention Centre is very excited about that. This creativity comes along every now and then and we have to support it. The ice skating rink is one of those and it will be an important activity for youth in Alice Springs over the hot summer.
Superintendent White is overseeing the planning of a new youth hub at the ANZAC campus. There is much interest from non-government organisations also. The Richmond Football Club is very keen to get on board, as well as organisations like Mission Australia. We know the big issue in some of our schools is bullying and, talking to Richmond Football Club a couple of months ago, they are very keen to work with the students at the new middle school on that particular issue.
As the Chief Minister also alluded to earlier today, we have the Police Beat in the mall. It is fantastic and is doing great stuff. There have been great responses from the local businesses.
We have launched the No School, No Service policy, where we have over 100 local businesses signed on board. We have provided an additional $75 000 to the Gap Youth Centre. I know the member for Nelson has been there this week. They are doing some great programs with Frank Curtis from the police.
Work is continuing on providing additional safe accommodation and emergency beds for young people, and planning is under way for a residential facility for kids who cannot live at home.
Madam Speaker, we will continue to roll out our comprehensive plan. We have a plan for action, and that plan is specifically targeting families and children.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016