A commitment has been made to 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 impression of the new Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility – Entry.
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
A Community Consultation and Feedback Summary Report [PDF,1.15MB] has been prepared that provides a summary of the feedback received during consultation on the Masterplan, and how this has been responded to.
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 continues after the release of the Masterplan in May 2025.
Initial design has focused on developing the masterplan for the site, which showed how the facility will be laid out including the location of buildings and gardens.
Design has progressed to a schematic design level that is represented in the Development Application that has been submitted to Council. Detailed design continues which will eventually be suitable to inform the procurement of a building contractor.
Development Assessment
A Development Application has been submitted to the Southern Midlands Council.
Council will now 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.