Southern Midlands Council says work will begin on Ashley Youth Detention Centre southern site
New details have been revealed about the timeline for one of the replacements for the Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Find out how early work could begin.
Tasmania
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Work on one of the replacements for the Ashley Youth Detention Centre (AYDC) is expected to begin early next year, according to a Tasmanian council.
The AYDC is set to close after serious allegations of human rights abuse and sexual abuse of children were aired.
The facility was due to close in September next year, to be replaced by two facilities: one in the north and one in the south, but that timeline is now in doubt.
A site at 466 Brighton Road, located between Brighton and Pontville has been selected as the preferred site for the southern facility.
According to the Southern Midlands Council, the Department of Education, Children and Young People has conducted a natural values assessment and an Aboriginal Heritage assessment.
The council said the community would soon be asked for input on the design of the facility.
On its website, the council quotes Education, Children and Youth Minister Roger Jaensch, who said the new facility would be as “discreet” and “unobtrusive” as possible.
“It’s understandable there may be uncertainty, and people want to know what the next steps are,” he said.
“One of the key steps will be seeking input from surrounding property owners, community groups and businesses into the site master planning process, including site layout, buffering, and landscaping.”
Mr Jaensch is quoted saying the facility will be smaller than the existing centre, to cater to a smaller number of detainees.
“It will be designed to provide a more therapeutic, less institutional setting, and landscaped to screen it from view,” he said.
The Southern Midlands Council said early works would begin, subject to further site assessments.
“These works will include power, sewer/water and NBN infrastructure as well as extensive landscaping to establish screening vegetation,” it said.
Progress on the project will be included in a regular newsletter, which will be distributed from early next year.
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