The construction of the new Youth Remand Centre in Wacol is advancing rapidly. The facility was fast-tracked in response to the need to alleviate watchhouse overcrowding.
Designed collaboratively by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Department of Youth Justice, the centre aims to provide appropriate support to young people in custody and reduce their time spent in watchhouses.
The centre’s main structure is complete, and two detention wings have already received modular cells. Construction remains on schedule, and the facility is expected to be operational by December.
This project represents a significant investment, with over $260 million allocated for construction and nearly $150 million for its operation over the next three years.
The new centre is vital to the $1.3 billion Community Safety Plan for Queensland, which focuses on prevention, intervention, and detention.
Construction of two new youth detention centres in Woodford and Cairns are also underway, increasing capacity and enhancing access to support services for young people. The strategic placement of the Wacol remand centre near two existing youth detention centres aims to ensure that young people can readily access vital education, health care and rehabilitation services.
Until the new youth detention centre in Woodford opens, the facility, will increase the number of youth detention beds. The Wacol centre will provide 76 detention beds and multiple exercise yards, both indoors and outdoors.
Premier Steven Miles emphasised the commitment to community safety, highlighting a multi-faceted approach that includes increased police presence, stricter laws, and detention as a last resort. He stressed the importance of modern construction methods to quickly provide increased remand and detention capacity, enabling police to focus on their core duties.
The investment in targeted intervention and prevention initiatives aims to address the underlying causes of crime.
Treasurer Mr Cameron Dick underscored the need for evidence-based, well-detailed and adequately funded measures to tackle community safety.
Police Minister Mark Ryan highlighted the government’s ongoing investment in programmes that strive to achieve the best outcomes for young people, including those in custody. He stressed the importance of preventing young people who enter the system from becoming entrenched in a life of crime and emphasised the remand centre’s role in breaking the cycle of offending.
Youth Justice Minister, Di Farmer, reiterated that Community Safety is paramount for the Queensland Government and that when a court determines detention is necessary, the government has the services and plans to safeguard the community.
Published Date 25-September-2024
