Former leper colony turned teen boot camp

QUEENSLAND island infamous for its dark history has been earmarked for controversial boot camps for young criminals.

A NORTH Queensland island infamous for its dark history has been earmarked for controversial boot camps for young criminals.

Just a day after Fantome Island, about 65km north of Townsville, was added to the Queensland Heritage Register, Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey has put forward the isolated site as the ideal spot to help get juvenile offenders off the streets, the Townsville Bulletin reported.

He said it would allow at-risk youths to be isolated away from the trappings of modern society where they could learn valuable life skills and gain a better understanding of Queensland history and indigenous culture.

Fantome Island was Queensland's first offshore facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with leprosy, from 1928-1945.

The colony was the State Government's answer to try to stop the spread of the deadly disease.

Largely kept a secret, those diagnosed with leprosy were forcibly taken from their homes and confined to the island, a strange mix of tropical paradise and prison.

At the height of its operation in 1932, 128 men, women and children were sent to the island.

"Having a youth facility has been on Palm Island's radar for the last 20 years," he said.

"It allows young people to find themselves away from modern pressures.

"It gets young Queenslanders to enjoy history, particularly Palm Island's history and North Queensland history."

Read more at the Townsville Bulletin.