Caloundra youth jail plans on agenda as community groups host meeting with department staff
Residents can pose direct questions on a controversial youth jail plan at an invite-only event but a local councillor has questioned why more consultation is not being done.
Sunshine Coast
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State government bureaucrats will answer residents’ questions on a controversial proposed youth jail after a consultation period described as “light on detail”.
Caloundra Residents Association initiated the meeting with the youth justice department staff to find out more about plans to turn the watch-house into a youth remand centre.
Secretary Graeme Smith said association members and representatives from other community groups were invited to attend to ask questions.
He said he wanted to take the politics out of the issue and have an honest discussion so members could gain a better understanding of the proposal at the meeting scheduled for Monday night.
But Sunshine Coast councillor Terry Landsberg raised concern with the event and questioned why the department was not consulting more broadly.
“I feel that the engagement process has been very light on detail,” Cr Landsberg said.
“This is a major change of use for the facility that everyone should be made aware of.
“I’m disappointed the department hasn’t organised a public meeting.
“The feedback I’m receiving is that a lot of people aren’t aware of the plans.”
A youth justice department spokesman said engagement was held in July and August.
They said there would be further opportunities for community engagement in coming months “as part of the planning approval process”.
They said interested organisations could request a direct meeting with department representatives.
“Feedback from community engagement will form part of an Environment Assessment Report (EAR),” they said.
“This will be used to inform the final planning decision to be made by the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.”
Mr Smith said the aim was to take the politics out of the discussion on Monday night.
“I want to have an honest discussion about if a remand centre is required in Caloundra,” he said.
“This isn’t about youth crime, it’s about how this is a holiday destination for lots of people and that’s what the town survives on.
“Why have youth remand centre right in the middle of the city?
“It doesn’t make sense when the facility is being used as a watch-house.”
He said about 50 people from a number of community groups were expected to attend.
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