Sunshine Coast councillor Terry Landsberg calls on State Government to abandon Caloundra remand centre plans

A Sunshine Coast councillor wants the State Government to abandon plans for a remand centre for young criminals because the proposal lacks clarity and consultation.

Sunshine Coast councillor Terry Landsberg wants the State Government to abandon plans to turn Caloundra Watchhouse into a remand centre for young criminals.

Mr Landsberg will on Thursday call on councillors to not support the government’s proposal to repurpose the Caloundra Watchhouse into a youth remand centre.

His notice of motion says the proposal lacks clarity on the extent and nature of the facility and engagement with the community.

It comes after politicians and community groups last week launched a petition against the youth remand centre, raising concerns about its potential to increase crime in the area.

The government is set to spend more than $16m over five years to turn the 16-year-old watchhouse into a remand centre for criminals aged 17 years and under.

However residents were only made aware of the plans last month.

It is understood the facility would have up to 30 beds and be used when other youth detention centres were at capacity.

Mr Landsberg wants the council to call on the government to abandon its plans and engage in “genuine consultation” before going ahead with a youth centre.

He also raised concerns with the potential impact the remand centre would have on neighbouring properties.

A funeral home, retirement village and kindergarten are nearby the site.

He said the government had not provided any public information on other sites considered.