ThePlanning Minister has carefully considered the findings of the Northern TerritoryPlanning Commission regarding the rezoning application for a new Youth JusticeCentre and Rehabilitation Precinct, and has declined the application.
Thisis a Government that listens and has followed an open and transparent planningprocess to get the best outcome for the community.
Considerationwas given to a range of matters, including:
- Concernsfrom the community through the planning process and consultation;
- Potentialimpacts to existing industrial land sites; and
- Potentialimpacts to traffic and essential services.
TheTerritory Government undertook a comprehensive analysis of potential siteoptions for the new Youth Justice Centre and Darwin Rehabilitation Precinct,including both Crown and privately owned sites.
Apreferred site was needed before the statutory planning process could commenceto confirm the suitability of the site.
Thedecision to not proceed with the Pinelands site does not have an impact on thecurrent design work already underway, and led by local company Bennett Design.
Thenew secure and purpose-built youth justice facility will make our communitiessafer by breaking the cycle of crime.
The Territory Government will now seek an alternative site for the new Youth Justice Centre and Rehabilitation Precinct, which will replace the current Don Dale Youth Detention Centre.
Quotesfrom the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler:
TheTerritory Labor Government has listened to the community and the feedback fromthe rezoning process.
Basedon the evidence in front of me, I have acted in the best interest of the localcommunity in declining the rezoning application for the Youth Justice Centreand Rehabilitation Precinct in Pinelands.
Quotesfrom the Minister for Territory Families, Dale Wakefield:
TheTerritory Labor Government will continue on our reform journey to overhaul the broken youth justice system, put at-risk young people back on the right pathand away from a lifetime of crime.
Thedecision not to proceed with the Pinelands site says to Territorians that weare listening to their concerns and acting decisively. We will now be lookingat alternative sites for the new Darwin Youth Justice Centre.
Selection forthe new site will have criteria which includes easy access for family visits toensure that at-risk young people are connected to family, culture andcommunity, as well as for professional service providers.
