Security and services boost for Indigenous lands

Police centres are being established at three outback communities in South Australia's APY lands. (Morgan Sette/AAP PHOTOS)

Police facilities will be built in three outback communities as part of moves to improve services and security across South Australia's Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Indigenous lands.

A multi-agency centre has also been opened at Umuwa to bring key services together, including those involved in child protection and family violence.

It features forensic interview capabilities, family breakout areas, communal agency areas and technology to improve connectivity across communities.

The moves are part of a $14 million initiative jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

The police centres will be established at Indulkana, Fregon and Pipalyatjara.

In 2021, Deputy SA Coroner Anthony Schapel called for a police presence in Fregon in his findings into the brutal rape and murder of outback nurse Gayle Woodford.

Ms Woodford had lived in the town, 1275km north of Adelaide, and worked at the Nganampa Health Council's (NHC) local clinic in the period before she was abducted, raped and murdered by Dudley Davey in 2016.

In his findings, Mr Schapel said it was perverse there was no permanent police presence in a town of such lawlessness.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the new outback services and facilities were a significant step towards improving community safety and child protection outcomes.

"Collaborative working between agencies on the APY Lands is pivotal to providing vital services in a wholistic and effective manner, particularly in policing, drug and alcohol services, child protection and domestic violence," he said.

"Vulnerable people and families may be identified earlier, leading to targeted early intervention services that are coordinated across agencies."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store