The Tasmanian Government will close the Ashley Youth Detention Centre as soon as possible.
The decision to close Ashley Youth Detention Centre and build a new facility aligns with the recommendations of the Youth Justice Blueprint and the Tasmanian Government’s Commission of Inquiry. These recommendations prioritise therapeutic approaches.
Check out the New Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility Masterplan.
Artist’s sketch of the New Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility.
Timeline
After the completion of public consultation in 2023 and feasibility studies in 2024, a site at 466 Brighton Road, Pontville (located in the Southern Midlands LGA), has been chosen as the site for the new Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility.
A detailed overview of the public consultation can be found in the Community Engagement Outcomes Report.
Detailed site investigations of the Pontville site were undertaken, including:
- Planning analysis
- Aboriginal heritage assessment and sub-surface investigations
- Natural values assessment
- Infrastructure feasibility study
- Geotechnical assessments
A New Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility Masterplan has been developed for the site.
Consultation on the Masterplan
The consultation period on the Masterplan is open from 6 May 2025 and will close on 25 May 2025.
Early Works Design
Early works will be progressed ahead of the building of the facility.
These include:
- gardening at the perimeter of the site so that it can grow before the facility opens
- providing site access and underground services prior to the start of building.
Design of these elements is progressing.
Facility Design
The facility design process has started.
Initial design work has focused on developing the masterplan for the site, which shows how the facility will be laid out including the location of buildings and gardens.
Design will progress during 2025 through schematic and detailed design phases. These phases will eventually provide a design that will be suitable for procurement of a building contractor.
Development Assessment
A Development Application is currently being prepared for the proposed Facility. Once this is finished it will then be submitted to the Southern Midlands Council.
Once submitted, Council will assess the Development Application against the Tasmanian Planning Scheme in accordance with Land Use and Planning Approvals Act, 1993.
The expected construction commencement date is TBC.
The expected construction completion date is 2027.