Port Augusta and Davenport Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan

The Port Augusta and Davenport Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan has been designed with local community to help create a safer, stronger and more connected region. The Plan sets out clear actions, timeframes, and funding considerations.

The plan actions focus on:

community caring
community safety
building partnerships to achieve positive outcomes.

To help put the plan into action, the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments committed $12 million in July 2024, across a 3-year period, to support positive change in the region.

Read the Port Augusta and Davenport Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan

New Alliance will choose actions and measure outcomes

The Port Augusta and Davenport Community Alliance Group was set up in late 2024 to help carry out the plan with support from the Department of Human Services and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).

This dedicated leadership group includes local representatives from Traditional Owner groups, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, youth, service providers, businesses, and government.

Together, they will:

choose priority actions that align with new funding
set up a way to track and measure outcomes
champion culturally appropriate and sustainable service responses.

Meet the Alliance members

Linda Dare

“I am committed to representing our community and ensuring that the programs supported by government funding are completed and will benefit the youth of Port Augusta.”

Harry Dare

“I represent the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation and as an Elder I bring a wealth of cultural knowledge and wisdom. I intend to use this knowledge to support informed decision making and unity in the community.”

Dre Ngatokorua

“I remain deeply committed to my community by supporting local voices, leading cultural initiatives, and helping deliver meaningful events that bring our people together.”

Shonelle Reid

“I am committed to bringing lived experience, local voices and cultural connections. I am passionate about making a difference for young people in our community.”

Anna Caponi

“I am committed to being part of the Port Augusta and Davenport Alliance to contribute to the betterment of our community by supporting meaningful change and empowering our local people. I want to help shift perceptions and create lasting impact through collaboration and culturally informed leadership.”

Markeeta Stuart

“I’m dedicated to making a better community for all.”

Paula Fielding

“I believe that with my skills/knowledge and abilities, I am hoping to support/advise in making our communities a safe environment for our children and young people.”

Rob Singleton

“I represent Port Augusta and the regional community and bring a lifetime of experience and knowledge of what healthy and thriving communities look like.

I commit to representing our fantastic community and aim to make an invaluable contribution towards helping Port Augusta be the best version of itself.”

Jake Collins

“I represent support services within Port Augusta through my role as Homelessness Program Manager at The Salvation Army. I have experience from government and non-government employment and have been supporting people for 13 years in the housing and homelessness sector.”

Abby Walker

“I represent the service provider sector on the Alliance. My current role is with Headspace and I bring over 12 years of mental health experience and working with young people. As a local person I'm passionate about improving outcomes for young people and the community.”

Tara Blaikie

“I represent the service provider sector and bring 18 years of experience and knowledge of wellbeing and social work practice through my role with the Department for Child Protection. I aim to contribute my experience in being creative, thinking outside the square and supporting initiatives that will make a difference for our community.”

Paul Isherwood

“As Superintendent, I have the Officer in Charge of the Far North Local Service Area since October 2023. With my team, my objective is to make Port Augusta a safe and vibrant place to live, visit and do business. I have already introduced improvements through the establishment of the Declared Public Precinct in the Port Augusta CBD and Operation Summer Safe which deploys many police resources into the city and surrounds.”

Josh Heinze

“I represent SAPOL as the Operations Inspector for the Far North Local Service Area based in Port Augusta. I bring over 20 years of policing experience to this group. I aim to use my knowledge and experience to support the group making informed decisions to make Port Augusta and Davenport a safe and vibrant city for people to live, work and visit.”

Virginia Lloyd

“I represent the Business sector on the Alliance. I believe that the voice of business is crucial in shaping practical solutions for a safer, healthier community. As a long-time resident, I want to ensure that our local businesses are part of meaningful conversations that drive positive change in the way we live and work.”

Mark Myers

“I represent the broader Community of Port Augusta. I bring over 30 years’ experience within the area of restorative justice. I am passionate about assisting and supporting our community and the ongoing development of our youth and future leaders.

We have a great opportunity to redefine our future by providing the tools, structure and educational pathways to ensure positive outcomes and expectations for all community members. I look forward to healthy honest discussions to build a strong foundation for our children and the broader community.”

Alex Reid

“I represent the Department of Human Services (DHS), and we work closely with the Port Augusta and Davenport communities to help build community safety and wellbeing in the region. Having spent many years in regional and remote South Australia earlier in my career, I know the strength of community-led change, and my priority is for DHS to be a supportive partner in helping the Alliance achieve the vision and aims of the Port Augusta and Davenport Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.”

Craig Hendry

“I represent the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) in my role as the South Australian Regional Manager. NIAA’s involvement with the Alliance aligns with our mission to empower First Nations people through genuine partnerships and supporting the objectives of placed-based partnerships and shared decision making. My priority is to support community aspirations, and the implementation of the community led Port Augusta and Davenport Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.”

Current initiatives

A range of initiatives are being implemented or underway to support and improve the wellbeing of young people in Port Augusta and Davenport:

Youth Aboriginal Community Court

A therapeutic court model is being developed with the community to address the underlying causes of youth offending. The court is expected to launch in February 2026.

Education Wellbeing Hub

Consultation is underway for an alternative education setting for disengaged youth, led by the Department for Education. The Hub will focus on trauma-informed practice, cultural connection, and holistic support.

The Rec Room

A trial program offering a safe, social after-school in reach program for young people aged 12 to 17, four days a week, has seen strong engagement since launching early 2025.

Community Mural Project

Up to 30 local young people will help design a large-scale mural in collaboration with proud Arrernte artist Scott Rathman, guided by Traditional Owner input during a 4-day workshop.

Operation Flinders

Supporting young people aged 14 to 18 through adventure therapy including mentoring, outdoor experiences and cultural engagement. An approach tailored to the young people in the region will be specifically designed with youth, Elders, schools, services and families.