The South Australian Government and the City of Port Augusta have announced a joint $542,000 investment to improve safety in the city’s CBD and residential areas. This funding represents the second stage of the Safer Spaces Program, with both the State Government and Council contributing $271,000 each.

The Stage 2 funding will be used for:

• Surveillance: Expanded CCTV coverage and mobile camera units.
• Infrastructure: Public Wi-Fi charging stations and digital kiosks.
• Training: Crime prevention training for Council staff.
• Business Support: Assistance for small businesses to improve shopfront safety.
• Community Activation: Transforming under-utilised spaces through cultural initiatives.

This works alongside the existing $12 million Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, which includes the upcoming launch of the Mangrove Court (Youth Aboriginal Community Court) and an Education Wellbeing Hub in early 2026. Other programs include the Beatz Bus, The Rec Room for teens, and the Return to Country program.

Broadening the Scope: Safety Across the Far North?

While this significant investment is a welcome step for Port Augusta, it highlights a growing need for similar considerations in the smaller, less populated townships of the Far North.

Residents and local leaders in these more remote voting areas have noted that they face many of the same safety and social challenges as larger regional hubs.

To ensure equity across the state, it is vital that the “practical action” and “preventative strategies” being pioneered in Port Augusta are eventually extended to these smaller communities.

Providing these areas with similar access to CCTV upgrades, youth engagement hubs, and business security support is essential for the long-term safety and stability of the entire Far North region.