Canterbury-Bankstown Place Project

The NSW Government established the Strengthening Communities Unit to work with communities to assist them to be stronger, healthier and more vibrant. It addresses social issues by listening to and working with people and community groups.

Canterbury– Bankstown

How it came about

Following the shooting at Lakemba Police Station and related events in November 1998 the Premier asked the Strategic Projects Division of Premiers Department to develop a Whole of Government response to youth issues in the Canterbury-Bankstown area. The Stage I plan was finalised in December 1998 and implemented from 1999 - 2001. From that experience also emerged the NSW Youth Partnership with Arabic Speaking Communities.

In 2002 the Department worked with 30 non-government organisations and 20 Local, State and Commonwealth agencies to develop a set of strategic proposals for Stage II of the Canterbury-Bankstown Action Plan. In January 2003 the Premier announced that $3.4 million would be allocated from the NSW Community Solutions and Crime Prevention Strategy to implement the Stage II Action Plan over three years.

What it does

In Stage II, the Canterbury Bankstown Project aims to:

• Strengthen families
• Support young people into better futures and
• Further build community harmony

This is achieved through the delivery of targeted initiatives and through improved collaborationacross State Government, Local Government and the Community. Projects ahev been developed and implemented to achieve the above aims, in particular to:

• support young people to succeed at school and make effective transitions to further training and employment
• strengthen mentoring, development, sporting and cultural programs for young people
• improve outcomes for families affected by domestic violence
• promote positive images of the area and young residents
• strengthen community harmony across cultures and generations through establishment of the Canterbury-Bankstown Community Harmony Roundtable

Who is involved

The project coordinator is the Communities Division, Department of Community Services.

The main agencies involved are: Bankstown City Council, Canterbury City Council, various non-government organisations, Community Relations Commission, NSW Police, TAFE and the following NSW Government Departments: Health, Education & Training, Community Services, Juvenile Justice, Housing, and Tourism, Sport and Recreation.

For further information

Contact	:	Lou Bacciella, Senior Project Manager
Address	:	PO Box 3047, Bankstown Square, Bankstown NSW 2200
Phone	:	02 9793 1516
Fax	:	02 9793 1520
Email	:	lou.bachiella@community.nsw.gov.au