State Labor MP Jason Hunt has taken a bold stand for his community against his government’s plan to establish a youth remand centre at Caloundra.
Mr Hunt, who last year made history for his party by securing a Sunshine Coast seat that had been an “LNP fortress”, had been under considerable pressure over a proposal to repurpose the disused police watchhouse at 3 Gregson Place.
Opponents believed what they described as a “youth jail” should not be located so close to a tourist town’s CBD and said the public consultation process had been “farcical”.
They now have a surprise – and welcome – champion in the Member for Caloundra.
He has informed his community that he had sent a letter to Minister for Children and Youth Justice Leanne Linard urging her not to proceed with the facility.
This comes three months after Sunshine Coast News reported that Mr Hunt had conducted a letterbox drop backing the project and attempting to allay community fears.
In a post on his official Facebook page Thursday morning, the Caloundra MP said that when he was elected, he promised to be a strong voice for his community.
“Today, I wrote to the Minister asking her to reconsider the Caloundra Watchhouse proposal and calling on the government to withdraw the current plans to convert the Watchhouse into a short-term remand centre for youth offenders,” Mr Hunt said.
“Having spent 20 years as a corrections officer, I know first-hand how important it is to balance the safety of our community with the need to provide meaningful rehabilitation for youth offenders and the current proposal isn’t the right fit for our community,” he said.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with me to share their concerns and participate in the consultation process.
“I look forward to the Minister’s response and keeping you updated.”
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Mr Hunt also included a copy of the letter to Ms Linard and, in it, said he acknowledged the good work of her department during the consultation process and further explained the reasons for his change of stance.
“Being a strong advocate and champion for the Caloundra community, I will always act in their best interest. After broad consultation and numerous invaluable conversations with local residents, it is clear that my community does not support this watchhouse redevelopment proposal.
“Minister, I will always fight for my community and that is why I call on behalf of local residents that the proposal does not proceed.”
Member for Kawana, Jarrod Bleijie, who has been actively campaigning against the centre since it was first put forward, welcomed the “about face” from Mr Hunt.
Mr Bleijie said Mr Hunt had previously promoted the youth jail for seven months and said it was needed for community safety.
He said he was disappointed the Caloundra MP had not voted against it when the LNP moved a recent motion in Parliament.
“It is clear that the government will abandon its plans for now for a youth jail on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Bleijie said.
“The credit is due to the over 6,000 Sunshine Coast residents who signed the petition against it.”
A failure to advance the centre could cost Queenslanders dearly as the Youth Justice Department has already awarded tenders and commenced work.
This flurry of work came despite any formal announcement that the now-gutted Caloundra Watchhouse would be transformed into the controversial overflow holding facility.
Minister Linard in November confirmed to Sunshine Coast News that work was underway on essential systems, including fire, security and information and communications technology.
Other tenders included provision of a range of specialist products that also would ensure the security and safety of occupants, staff and visitors.
The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs allocated $5 million in infrastructure funding for the project.
However, Ms Linard said late November that the proposal still remained subject to planning approval.
“Should the proposal not be approved, the current works will be completed and enable the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to continue to operate the facility as a watchhouse.”
Workers were stood down last week, but the department said this was just for the festive break.
“This work is being paused because of the Christmas and New Year period, however it will resume in the new year,” a spokesperson said.
