The Queensland Government has abandoned its plan to use a Sunshine Coast police watchhouse as a temporary, short-term youth remand centre.
Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard today announced the Government would no longer proceed with its plan to use the Caloundra watchhouse to detain children in the wake of extensive local community consultation.
“Last year we announced that Caloundra residents and businesses would have their say on plans to repurpose the existing watchhouse to a short-term remand centre for young people,” Ms Linard said.
“As a government, we assured the community that we would listen to their views and we meant it.
“The department and the Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt were part of an extensive community consultation process.
“That process found that Caloundra wasn’t the right place for this temporary centre – we welcome the feedback, we listened to the community’s concerns and we have acted on those concerns.
It is understood the Caloundra watchhouse will continue to be used by police as an operational watchhouse.
Ms Linard said the Government would continue to progress the business case announced last year for additional youth detention capacity in Queensland.
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