Where is started...
Several years ago, a small group of Carnarvon women became concerned about the ongoing ‘well-above-average’ rates of engagement with the justice system amongst their community especially for young people.
Convinced that there must be a better way, those Carnarvon women in collaboration with the Gascoyne Development Commission started looking into ways of helping the community.
They were tired of knee-jerk responses and band aid fixes that provided no lasting benefit and GDC helped to research justice re-investment.
Justice re-investment is not a new concept and has been a recognised part of effective policy responses to high rates of engagement with the justice system especially for young people where an initial engagement often seemed to lead to more serious contacts and eventual cycles of recurring incarceration later in life.
The concepts are simple, robust and proven. It involves directing relatively modest amounts of funding to the front end of the system.
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Justice reinvestment ground-up approach...
Justice reinvestment is not just another service program its about finding better, more effective and more efficient ways of applying the funding and resources we already have.
By working directly with young people at risk and their families and communities and listening to their ideas, service providers can find better, more effective and more efficient ways of helping young people and their families stay out of contact with the justice system.
They can find better ways to keep young people at school, facilitate their entry to work or training, help them avoid risky behaviours and situations and address challenges early.
Community and government can get better results for everyone while achieving more efficient and robust service delivery.
In the long term the goal is to permanently reduce the numbers of young people and families caught up in repeating cycles of trauma, crime and social dysfunction.
GDC worked with an Aboriginal-led community group to identify the federally funded justice re-investment program as being able to support their goals and apply for funding.
In 2025, an Aboriginal-led community group were successful in gaining initial funding of $1.4 million dollars from the Commonwealth Government. In 2026 the Commission continues to auspice the program.
With ongoing support from the State, the group has negotiated funding arrangements and work workplan with the Commonwealth, built community engagement, kept key stakeholders in the Department of Justice, the Shire of Carnarvon, Police, Health, Department of Communities and other service agencies informed and secured staff and premises.
In 2026, the Carnarvon justice reinvestment project, now known as Common Ground Project, was successful in securing further funding for their project and Carnarvon for at least the next 3 years.
Achievements to date...
A formal review early in 2026 by the Commonwealth Government highlighted:
- Community engagement has been delivered at a substantial scale, with more than 200 survey responses, extensive one‑on‑one engagement, multiple focus groups, two whole‑of‑community forums, a women’s forum with more than 50 participants, and dedicated youth engagement through schools.
- Governance development of an Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisation (ACCO) has progressed strongly, with a co‑designed governance structure created with direct consultation with Elders and Native Title groups.
- Key components have been delivered on schedule, including establishment and fit‑out of a dedicated office, completion of branding and visual identity, development of an internal communications strategy, and near completion of the website and social media platforms.
- Capacity building activities have been implemented as planned, including successful completion of a six‑month Cert IV Leadership and Mentoring program by 8 community members, ongoing staff induction, and professional development activities for the communications team.
- Several project streams show strong progress, such as completion of youth service mapping for the Throughcare Project at Banksia, finalisation of a youth needs assessment report, and the delivery of multiple on‑country cultural camps.
Carnarvon Common Ground is now approaching a more active phase of operation, progressively becoming more independent and getting ready to work with service providers on program design and delivery.
It is unlikely to solve every problem overnight, that’s not how lasting change works, but it is the most disciplined attempt to reform service delivery seen in Carnarvon for many years, to permanently improve the lives of people living here and make our town a better place for everyone.
Relevant Project
Carnarvon Common Ground Project
Carnarvon’s community and service providers are working together on this project with the aim of delivering services that are tailored to the unique social needs of the town.