New youth safe house approved for Bushland Beach
A petition to have a youth house denied in Bushland Beach has been overturned by the state government.
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A petition to have a youth house denied has been overturned by the state government.
The tight-knit community of Bushland Beach erupted into bitter debate with residents at odds over the Youth Care House, to be run by Integrated Family and Youth Service should be allowed.
Supported by Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, an e-petition with more than 450 signatures was tabled during parliament on June 19 calling for its relocation.
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Youth and Women and Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Di Farmer denied the request, and referred to The Child Protection Act 1999 (the Act) for her reasoning.
In a letter to the parliament Clerk, Minister Farmer said The Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women (DCSYW) must take action considered necessary when it is reasonably suspected a child may be in need of protection.
“As these young people are some of the most vulnerable children in Queensland, often having experienced significant and complex traumas in their young lives, a wide variety of placement options is needed to ensure individualised planning can take place,” the letter read.
“Unlike Supervised Community Accommodation or a ‘bail house’, residential care is not an alternative to youth detention and referrals are made for children and young people who are subject to child safety intervention only.
“Using a range of trauma intervention and case management strategies, this placement option strives to support young people and provide them with a place to call home.”
Since 2015, the number of children and young people requiring care away from their parents has increased by approximately 15 per cent, according to Queensland Government figures.
Critical of Mr Dametto’s position on the topic, Bushland Beach resident Tim Doyle hit back with his own grassroots campaign to welcome the kids.
He said he was relieved of the outcome and hoped it would ‘bring out the best’ of his seaside neighbourhood.
“Some residents came to realise what the actual purpose of this house would be but it doesn’t help when you’ve got your elected leader pushing the opposite,”
“He’s not a true reflection of what our electorate wants which is a caring, family friendly community.
“We live in a little paradise here with parks, sporting clubs and everything these kids would need to get their life on track.”
Mr Doyle said he wanted the children to know they were ‘wanted and welcome’.
“I say to the kids, ‘my door is open if you ever want to come in and play with my kids,”
“It didn’t take me long to do my homework and look up this organisation and see they’ve got a good record.
“They’re rescuing kids from domestic violence and stuff, people need to be more compassionate and stop judging so quickly.”
Minister Farmer ensured IFYS management would remain in close contact with the Mr Dametto and that the petition response would be provided to local residents to help ensure they are ‘aware of the Government’s response to issues made, and commitments given’.
Originally published as New youth safe house approved for Bushland Beach