Delivering on another election promise, the Malinauskas Labor Government today announced $1.2 million to increase safety and wellbeing in Port Augusta with a new service codesigned with Aboriginal leaders and local community organisations.

The 24/7 response includes three key elements:

• Street Team – on foot in central Port Augusta to help people where they are
• Roving Team – covering wider Port Augusta and providing safe transport
• One Number – the community can call for an on-call after hours response

Together, these new approaches aim to make public spaces safer for everyone, ensure Aboriginal people from remote communities have access to culturally safe services while in Port Augusta, and offer help to return to Country where appropriate.

The service will tackle anti-social behaviour at the source by getting to know people on the street, offering support where people are and connecting people to services. The success of the new service will be measured by reduced hospital admissions, fewer offences and people being more confident in their community.

Planned to start in November, the service will be ready to make an immediate impact during summer when Port Augusta experiences an increase in remote visitors.

The Port Augusta program extends the work of the whole-of-government Safety and Wellbeing Taskforce that was established in 2021 to provide targeted support to visitors from remote Aboriginal communities in the Adelaide CBD.

The program also builds on work by the Department of Human Services in Ceduna over the last ten years that brought together government agencies and community organisations to address significant community safety concerns.

Quotes attributable to Nat Cook, Minister for Human Services

I visited Port Augusta at the end of June to meet with my colleague Geoff Brock along with Aboriginal leaders and the local Council to discuss better responses and services for Aboriginal people from remote communities in the city.

By co-designing the program with local people and organisations, we’re looking forward to having a positive impact on the challenges faced in the region.

We will establish an outreach team to provide an active after hours and weekend response that can also help remote visitors return to Country.

This new team will tackle anti-social behaviour by being on the street and visiting areas like the foreshore and Gladstone square. The team will also work with the SA Housing Authority to visit homes with excessive noise or overcrowding.

Quotes attributable to Geoff Brock, Minister for Local Government

Port Augusta is fortunate to have excellent local community services, including quality Council and non-government organisation services such as the day centre and Aboriginal and general health services.

The service will bring together local frontline services to provide on-the-ground responses, on the street where they are needed the most. Over summer, Port Augusta experiences an increase in remote visitors and an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Quotes attributable to Brett Benbow, Mayor, Port Augusta City Council

I have lobbied for a program of this type for Port Augusta and this dedicated, locally based response is a fantastic outcome. Remote visitors come to Port Augusta for many different reasons, including visiting family, access to medical services, attending court, and access to alcohol and other drugs.

Many have multiple chronic health issues and end up sleeping rough for long periods. At times behaviours spiral out of control in popular areas like the foreshore and Gladstone square.

The service is a much-needed initiative to support both our remote Aboriginal visitors, as well as our residents, businesses, and other visitors to our city.

Quotes attributable to Eddie Hughes, Member for Giles

I was really pleased the whole-of-government Safety and Wellbeing Taskforce expanded its focus statewide, recognising that challenges and impacts of remote visitors are not limited to Adelaide alone. This response is a welcome initiative and funding investment for the Upper Spencer Gulf region.

Nat Cook MP
Minister for Human Services

Geoff Brock MP
Minister for Local Government

Media contact: Catherine Bauer 0478 855 367, premier.sa.gov.au