Queensland Budget allocates $56 million for PCYC facilities and its youth programs

The Queensland Government is contributing $56 million in funding to boost infrastructure and program delivery at PCYC centres across the state.

This investment will support the outstanding work PCYC does in helping young people maximise their potential and at the same time supporting community safety.

The budget funding of $50 million will support the construction of new PCYC facilities and significant upgrades to existing centres.

Part of the investment is aimed at delivering programs that have been proven to work in helping at-risk young people turn away from involvement in the criminal justice system.

With this in mind, the government is providing $6 million in funding to PCYC Queensland which will help support a ‘back to basics’ initiative to deliver programs like after dark basketball and boxing in areas of high need.

PCYC Queensland delivers hundreds of intervention, prevention and diversion programs and activities across Queensland aimed at keeping young people engaged and on the right track.

Supporting more than 100,000 members each year, PCYC Queensland works closely with young people whose personal circumstances often leave them at risk, disadvantaged or disengaged.

Phil Schultz, Chief Executive PCYC Queensland shared “we appreciate that this is a considerable investment into PCYC Queensland  demonstrating QPS and Queensland Government’s commitment to driving early intervention initiatives through prevention, intervention, and diversionary programs.

“PCYC and QPS have been working together to look at how they can further support the community working in conjunction with the police district to target specific areas of community need.

“This funding will be a huge support to us carrying out much needed upgrades and enhanced program delivery.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk notes “PCYC Queensland has been helping young people for three quarters of a century. They can get in early and help young people at risk of offending stay on the right track before they get involved in crime.

“PCYC has an incredible legacy of supporting local communities and I am proud that my government is strengthening the partnership with PCYC Queensland to deliver a $56 million investment that will benefit PCYC operations right across the state.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan added “The QPS and the Queensland Government are committed to providing support and opportunities to young Queenslanders to regain their self-worth, build resilience, and establish a sense of connection with their local community.

“We know police work hand in hand with PCYC Queensland to turn the lives around of many young Queenslanders.

“Youth intervention and diversionary programs are critical to breaking the cycle of youth crime and the PCYC has a long-standing reputation in delivering effective programs which lead to community re-engagement, employment and study.

“That is why I’m pleased to see this significant investment in bolstering PCYC infrastructure in Queensland which will enhance programs.” 

For more information about PCYC Queensland, visit: www.pcyc.org.au. https://www.pcyc.org.au/

Contribution towards New PCYC facilities

• Rockhampton ($ 5 million contribution towards the establishment of a new facility)

• Sandgate ($ 5 million contribution towards the establishment of a new facility)

• Pimpama ($5 million contribution towards the establishment of a new facility)

• Mareeba ($5 million contribution towards the establishment of a new facility)

• Beaudesert ($5 million contribution towards the establishment of a new facility)

Upgrades

$1 million to upgrade:

• Zillmere PCYC

• Mount Gravatt PCYC

• Crestmead PCYC

• Bundaberg PCYC

• Yarrabah PCYC

• Napranum PCYC

• Aurukun PCYC

• Upper Ross PCYC

• Palm Island PCYC

• Burdekin PCYC

• Crestmead PCYC

• Hills District PCYC

• Ipswich PCYC

• Mornington Island PCYC

• Mount Isa PCYC

• Roma PCYC

• Toowoomba PCYC

$2 million to upgrade:

• Redlands PCYC

• Nambour PCYC

• Cairns PCYC

Image top: PCYCCairns Judo Classes; Image cewntre: PCYC Bundaberg Boxing After Dark classes -the program is open to 12 to 16 year olds that want to learn new boxing skills, discipline, self-confidence and most of all have fun. The program was led by Sergeant John Kendall who is a qualified boxing instructor; image above: Mornington Island PCYC