Community consultation to launch in September for youth remand centre at Caloundra

Residents will have less than a month to have their say on controversial plans to turn a Sunshine Coast watchhouse into a remand centre for young criminals.

Minister for Children and Youth Justice Leanne Linard says meetings will be held this week to discuss a proposed youth detention centre in Caloundra. Picture: Tara Croser.

Residents will have 20 business days to let the state government know what they think about a proposal to turn the Caloundra Watchhouse into a remand centre for young criminals.

Discussions will be held this week about the controversial proposal that caused community outrage after the government budgeted $5m to turn the watchhouse into a remand centre with up to 30 beds.

The $5m is part of a $16.4m spend over five years to refit the facility, which is next door to a crematorium and less than a kilometre from a school and kindergarten.

Under the proposal the facility would be used to lock up young criminals on remand and awaiting trial.

The government has not confirmed how long criminals would be jailed there, however it is understood sometimes people can wait months before they go to trial.

Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said the funding was announced in June as part of plans to increase capacity in youth detention.

While the budget did include the $5m spend it did not stipulate its location.

Ms Linard said early engagement would begin this week with a meeting planned between herself, Caloundra MP Jason Hunt, Sunshine Coast councillor Terry Landsberg and community groups.

She said the government would invite submissions on the proposal for 20 days in September.

“In February our government introduced tough new measures to keep our community safe, including a presumption against bail for recidivist youth offenders,” Ms Linard said.

“We knew this could, and has, seen more young people denied bail and held on remand to keep our community safe.”

Last week Mr Landsberg’s notice of motion for the council to call on the government to abandon its plans gained the support of the majority of councillors.

He said the location was unacceptable.

Mr Hunt said he was made aware of the project when the funding was announced as part of the June 15 budget.

He said he hoped discussions this week would help ensure “a smooth transition” to have the facility refitted for young offenders.