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.
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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."
Australian Associated Press
