A Kimberley shire with high levels of youth crime has outlined big plans to engage young people through sport and art.
In Halls Creek, it is common for children to roam the streets until the early hours and, while attendance at the local high school has improved, it remains critically low.
Youth crime hit record levels at the end of last year, but offending has fallen significantly in recent months and police are dealing with fewer children on the streets.
However, the problem of youth disengagement remains, partly driven by high rates of overcrowding and domestic violence.
Shire of Halls Creek new chief executive Phillip Cassell, who is only a few months into the role, has made it his goal to increase the activities on offer for children and residents.
He has hired a dedicated manager for the shire's recreational precinct to oversee an upgrade of the oval, pool and gym, paving the way for more events and activities.
"We're working to keep programs delivered at the sport and recreation centre going until 10pm," Mr Cassell said.
"So we can engage with those kids until that time and we can work out where they go from there."
Designing skate park, BMX pump track
Mr Cassell said the shire would encourage young people to help design a proposed skate park and BMX pump track, as well as an artistic makeover of the main street and Pioneer Park.
"When the artwork is being done, the role of the elders could be to impart those stories back to the young kids," he said.
Despite its social disadvantage, Halls Creek has a national reputation as an AFL/AFLW "football factory".
The sport is seen as a crucial way to improve the lives of those who have grown up in poverty.
Halls Creek Hawks coach Craig Dempsey described the council's renewed focus on sporting infrastructure as a "fresh start".
"If we can run this oval and have it fully established, it will give the future players of Halls Creek confidence to run around on any other oval in the community," he said.
"You've always got to do something for the younger ones. At the end of the day, that's how you lead your future."
