Government money for young people

Sir – The Government is set to invest an additional $4.2 million to support youth services across the Territory.
 
Young people are the Territory’s future and the Government is investing in services and activities that young Territorians need, particularly in our regions.
 
As part of this new funding announcement, the Territory Government’s Regional Coordination Committees will receive $3.85 million to allocate to local youth programs over the next four years.
 
This regional approach to youth issues will focus on early intervention and prevention initiatives such as mental health and wellbeing.
 
The Government believes that a localised approach will generate the best results for each region. Funds will be made available for the Alice Springs ($1.225m), Tennant Creek ($525,000), Katherine ($525,000), Nhulunbuy ($175,000) and Darwin/Palmerston regions ($1.4m).
 
The need for additional funding was raised by members of the Chief Minister’s Round Table of Young Territorians in their recommendations to government late last year.
 
Another $350,000 over three years has been awarded to Red Dust Role Models in Alice Springs for the next three years to commence their Young Women’s Healthy Living Program in Central Australia which aims to provide gender-specific health promotion to young women aged 12-18 years in remote communities.
 
CEO Darren Smith said Red Dust has been working with remote communities in the NT for nearly 20 years and this program has been based on the learning and relationships we have formed over that time.
 
Anyone interested in finding out more about the regional youth funding package should call the Office of Youth Affairs on (08) 8999 2552 or via email at oya@nt.gov.au or visit www.youth.nt.gov.au
 
Adam Giles
Chief Minister
Peter Styles
Minister for Young Territorians