Halikos lodges legal objection to location of new NT youth detention centre
THE Northern Territory Government is considering a different location for its new $70 million youth detention centre after a legal objection from the developer of a neighbouring housing estate
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Northern Territory Government is considering a different location for its new $70 million youth detention centre after a legal objection from the developer of a neighbouring housing estate, but denies the two events are linked.
The Sunday Territorian can reveal Halikos, the company chosen to build a housing development on the old Berrimah farm site, lodged a legal objection to the location of the new detention centre.
The new facility was to be built at the site of the current Don Dale Youth Detention Centre at Berrimah, which was ordered to be shut by commissioners Margaret White and Mick Gooda at the conclusion of the royal commission into youth justice.
Planning Minister Nicole Manison confirmed the objection from Halikos but said it played no role in the potential relocation.
“Halikos made their concerns about the youth detention facility very clear. We do not believe that there is any legal impediment to placing the facility in that spot,” she said.
The Government insists the site was back under consideration because it would put an alcohol rehabilitation centre close to a planned primary school. Halikos’ 168ha Northcrest development involves plans for two primary schools.
“If (the sobering up shelter) is relocated, we would also consider moving the new youth justice facility as it provides an opportunity to review the overall future use of the site,” a Government spokeswoman said.
“Our advice is that there are no legal impediments to Government building the youth justice facility on this site.”
Relocation won’t delay the build, the Government claims.
The land for the Northcrest development was gifted to Halikos by the former CLP Government in exchange for a promise by the builder to spend $60 million on remediation, headworks and infrastructure.
In 2016, the land was valued at $30 million, but a report by Auditor-General Julie Crisp released earlier this year found that valuation was rushed.
A parcel of the free land was bought back by the NT Government in 2017 for $5 million.
Deputy Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said Territory Families Minister Dale Wakefield needed to come clean about plans for the new detention centre.
She said the uncertainty was proof of an ad hoc approach to youth justice.
The potential relocation came as news to community groups involved in consultation with the Government about the best place for the detention centre.
The initial location was welcomed by families of detainees as it is easily accessed by public transport. Groups confirmed they had not been involved in discussions about shifting the centre.
Halikos declined to comment.