RiverTracks Receives $20,000 State Grant to Help Young People Navigate the Justice System
A new pilot program designed to support vulnerable young people through the justice system will be launched in the Tweed and Byron regions after Murwillumbah-based youth organisation RiverTracks secured $20,000 in State Government funding.
The one-off funding will enable RiverTracks to deliver its Youth Court Support and Diversion Initiative over the next 12 months, providing practical assistance to young people appearing before the courts while aiming to reduce reoffending and improve long-term outcomes.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin welcomed the funding announcement, congratulating RiverTracks on securing the grant and acknowledging NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley for supporting the initiative.
Ms Saffin said the funding recognises the value of a growing partnership between RiverTracks and the Tweed-Byron Police Area Command, which has worked collaboratively to identify ways of better supporting young people entering the justice system.
“RiverTracks has achieved real success over the past five years by connecting vulnerable young people with positive support services, and this program will be aimed at improving youth court attendance and reducing reoffending,” Ms Saffin said.
She said early intervention programs that provide practical assistance can make a significant difference by helping young people avoid becoming entrenched in the criminal justice system.
The pilot is expected to support around 40 young people who have entered the youth justice system or who are considered at risk of further offending.
Participants will receive tailored case management alongside practical support designed to remove some of the barriers that often prevent young people from engaging with the legal process.
The initiative will provide transport to and from court, court attendance support, referrals to agencies including Legal Aid and Headspace, and opportunities to participate in RiverTracks’ recreational, mentoring and personal development programs.
RiverTracks Manager Christopher Rowland said the program had grown out of ongoing discussions between the organisation, local police and other community stakeholders who recognised that many young people face significant challenges simply attending court.
“We regularly see young people who miss court appearances because they lack transport, don’t fully understand the process, or don’t have trusted adults supporting them through what can be a very challenging time,” Mr Rowland said.
He said the initiative focuses on building positive relationships while providing practical assistance at one of the most critical stages in a young person’s life.
“By helping young people attend court, connect with legal and support services, and engage in positive activities, we can reduce the likelihood of further offending and create pathways toward better outcomes,” he said.
Mr Rowland said RiverTracks’ partnership with the Tweed-Byron Police Area Command had already demonstrated the benefits of agencies working together to support vulnerable young people.
“Our partnership with the Tweed-Byron Police Area Command has shown the value of agencies working together. This proposal strengthens that collaboration and creates an opportunity to pilot a model that could be expanded across the region in the future,” he said.
Beyond court support, the initiative forms part of RiverTracks’ broader commitment to improving youth wellbeing by strengthening community connections and encouraging young people to remain engaged in education, employment and positive community activities.
The pilot will also provide valuable data on the effectiveness of coordinated early intervention, with the potential for the program to be expanded across the Northern Rivers if successful.
Advocates say improving access to support services at an early stage can reduce future contact with the justice system while helping young people build stronger connections within their communities.
