News
New Youth Policing Officers for Newman
T Sealing progresses on Great Central Road in Western Australian Outback
W
ork has started to seal a 40-kilometre stretch of the Great Central Road, a part of the Western Australian section of Outback Way. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the sealing works were part of what would become Australia's third transcontinental highway. "Pre-construction works to source gravel and water are well underway with the construction team preparing to start works on the first section 11-kilometres east of Laverton," Mr McCormack said. "The project includes the reconstruction and sealing the road surface, which will ultimately form part of the longer-term upgrade of the Outback Way. "The project will link Laverton in Western Australia's Goldfields with Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and ultimately connecting to Winton in Queensland. Federal Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson said the Outback Way had poor road standards and could be unreliable and unsafe. "Many of the unsealed roads along the Outback Way suffer from corrugation, loose rocks and potholes and can be susceptible to flooding and wash-outs," Mr Wilson said. "Sections of the route also have limited signage, which contributes to safety concerns. Heavy vehicle traffic along the route can also result in increased road damage. "These sealing works will help to address some of these problems." 18
WATM • September 2020
wo full time Youth Policing Officers will be based in Newman to help positively engage with youth and tackle juvenile offending. Youth Policing Officers aim to divert atrisk young people away from offending behaviours by encouraging and supporting their personal development and education, and engaging them with structured and meaningful activities. The Remote School Attendance Program, which involves police officers working with other agencies to help get children to school, has seen an increase in school attendance. Police have also implemented strategies with local Martu Elders to reduce alcohol related harm in the community of Newman and Central Western Desert. Police Minister Michelle Roberts said, “I’m delighted these additional officers can be placed in Newman to further support the great work already being undertaken in the town. “We know for many at-risk young people, boredom and disengagement can lead to criminal offending. “That’s why the creation of these new positions is so important. “It allows police an opportunity to build relationships and engage those young people with activities and opportunities to develop their life skills and put them on a path to purposeful lives.”
The $46.5 million project is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $37.2 million and the Western Australian Government $9.3 million. Work on the first 40-kilometre section is expected to be completed by mid-2021, with a further 40 kilometres of upgrades to follow in 2021–22.
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