At the start of next year, the award-winning Project Booyah program will be up and running in Mackay.
Project Booyah is a police-led early intervention program that works in partnership with the Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said Project Booyah had a proven track record of diverting troubled young people away from criminal activity.
“It’s a fantastic program that will make a real difference here in Mackay.
“Project Booyah targets at-risk young people and seeks to reduce offending by addressing disengagement with family, community and education.
“Young people who successfully complete the program have been diverted from anti-social behaviour and have ended up in work or training.
“Thanks to Northern Queensland Primary Healthcare Network for funding this for the next two years.,” the Minister said.
Mackay MP, Julieanne Gilbert, said the program was designed to strengthen the ties between at-risk youth and their communities.
“Project Booyah aims to improve societal ties and eliminate anti-social tendencies which can lead to crime and incarceration.
“The course gives participants a range of life skills and enables them to improve their decisions around their own health, education and employment,” Ms Gilbert said.
When the Mackay Project Booyah comes on-line in January, it will be the tenth location across Queensland where the program is running.
The Mackay MP also joined the Police Minister to announce another six First Year Constables will be deployed to Mackay in October.
“In recent weeks we have already seen four recent graduates from the Police Academy deployed to Mackay.
“Another six First Year Constables are coming to Mackay on October 8.
“It’s very pleasing to see the government’s ongoing investment in regional jobs and community safety,” the Member for Mackay said.
