Caloundra MP backs plans to turn watch house into youth remand centre

A Caloundra MP has backed plans to turn a watch house into a youth remand centre while funding for a new police station promised at the election is yet to materialise.

Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt pictured during question time at Queensland Parliament. Picture: Liam Kidston

Funding for a police station promised for Caloundra South remains unseen despite millions being locked in for a youth remand centre within the electorate.

The government included $5m in this year’s budget for its plans to turn the Caloundra Watchhouse into a short term youth remand centre, despite not completing consultation.

The budget did not include funding towards the Caloundra South police station, promised for the community of 6500 residents at the 2020 election.

The area is currently policed by Caloundra officers with a travel time of about 30 minutes return to the station.

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt, who was last year elected as the area’s first ever Labor MP, said via a statement that the watch house was the “ideal location” for a youth remand centre.

Mr Hunt said that the facility would be used for short periods of time when other youth detention centres were at capacity.

“While waiting for beds in the other facilities these young people will be able to access education and programs targeted at their offending behaviour,” he said.

But Ninderry MP Dan Purdie said Caloundra police felt anxious about the changes.

“They know better than anyone the social implications that surround these types of facilities, and the aftermath when these offenders are released back into the local community,” he said.

“The residents of Caloundra have been hoodwinked.

“At the last election they were promised more police and a new $9m police station, instead what they are receiving is a $5m youth detention centre right next to a hospital, a school and a retirement village.”

Mr Hunt said as a result of his previous job as a correctional officer he would always put community safety first.

“It seems the LNP on the Sunshine Coast have a different view,” Mr Hunt said.