A youth night space has begun operating in Kununurra this week to provide a safe place for young people in the East Kimberley town.
The Kununurra Youth Night Space (KYNS) is temporarily based at the premises of Kununurra Waringarri Aboriginal Corporation (KWAC), which is providing the service.
The Night Space will provide refuge, food and activities for young people between 10pm and 4am.
It will be strictly non-residential and time limited, with young people transported by vehicle to and from the premises, minimising any potential disruption to the neighbourhood.
Kununurra Waringarri Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Adrian McCann, said the Night Space's opening marked "an important milestone".
"After 12 months of community-led co-design and detailed implementation planning, we are incredibly excited to bring the KYNS model to life for Kununurra's young people, families and the wider community." Mr McCann said.
"The strength of KYNS is that it has come directly from the community it will support and places young people's voices, strengths and desire for change at its centre. It builds on the trusted relationships local staff already have with young people, families, WA Police, KJJS and other services.
"We have a highly experienced team coming together, bringing strong local knowledge, lived experience and extensive experience working with young people.
"Together, the team, the space and the community-led model provide a strong foundation for delivering culturally safe, practical and coordinated support for Kununurra's young people and their families."
The Button Drive site will be used until refurbishment works are carried out at the Night Space's permanent location on Ivanhoe Road, allowing immediate increased support and community engagement with young people in the community.
The Government said the Department of Justice is in ongoing discussions with the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley about planning and operational requirements for the permanent site.
"The Night Space has been shaped through consultation with local stakeholders, Elders, Traditional Owners and young people to ensure it reflects the needs of the Kununurra community," Minister for the Kimberley, Stephen Dawson, said.
"I'm pleased to see an Aboriginal-led organisation delivering this service with local knowledge and community connections at its core.
"Providing a safe place for young people will help connect them with support and reduce their exposure to harm."
The initiative is supported by $5.9 million of funding through the Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy.
Attorney General Tony Buti said opening the Night Space in Kununurra is part of the Western Australian Government's efforts to tackle youth crime in the Kimberley through diversion and early intervention.
"The model is Aboriginal-led and co-designed with the local community, ensuring services provided are both culturally appropriate and effective," Mr Buti said.
"Broome and Fitzroy Crossing have recorded significant falls in youth crime, including burglaries and other property crimes, since those night spaces began operating.
"We expect the Kununurra Night Space can achieve similar results to other Cook Labor Government initiatives aimed at turning young people away from crime, reducing harm and making the community safer."
The Government said the KYNS will be similar in function to Ngurra Buru (Broome Night Space), which has contributed to a 34 per cent fall in burglaries and a drop in other youth crime rates since it began operating.
