Caloundra youth remand consultation slammed as builders arrive

The government’s consultation on a youth “jail” at Caloundra that attracted almost 800 submissions has been labelled as a farce. VOTE IN OUR POLL

A consultation process that attracted almost 800 submissions in response to Caloundra’s youth jail has been slammed as a “farce” with builders already onsite.

A builder, who has remained anonymous, said major demolition and construction work was already underway while residents were being asked what they thought about transforming the Caloundra Watchhouse into a youth remand centre.

The whistleblower’s email was provided to media via Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie.

According to the builder who was working onsite, the facility could not be used as a watchhouse again because so much had already been demolished.

However the government claims only minor essential works are being completed including on fire and security systems.

Mr Bleijie called on the government to “throw open the doors” of the former watchhouse and reveal what work was taking place.

“We know through a whistleblower that the builders were already doing work during consultation,” Mr Bleijie said.

“It was a farce.”

A youth justice department spokesman said a decision was yet to be made about the project.

More than $5m has been allocated in this year’s budget for the remand centre and the project would cost up to $16.4m in total.

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt said regardless of the government’s decision work would continue to “modernise” the facility that was built 16 years ago.

“The department undertook two rounds of engagement with the community to ensure that their views were heard,” Mr Hunt said.

“Throughout this entire process I have listened to, and advocated for the people of Caloundra, ensuring that their views were heard at the highest levels of government.

“I’ll continue to work with the community to improve community safety, I’m not just going to yell from the sidelines but work constructively with the government.”

The state government is considering the 753 submissions it received during the 20-day community consultation.

Documents detailing the government’s proposal said it would be a 24-hour remand facility for 10-15 youths.

According to the document internal works would need to be completed to repurpose it into a remand centre, as well as an enclosed outdoor area and a new fence to “improve safety”.

It was proposed as an overflow facility for when Queensland’s three other remand centres were at or near capacity.

“Young people will be transferred promptly to an existing youth detention centre when a bed becomes available,” it said.

It said young people released from custody would be taken back to their local town or a youth detention centre in Wacol to be collected by their family.