New Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility FAQs

The Tasmanian Government wants to improve community safety and the lives of children and young people who are in detention.

As part of the response to the Commission of Inquiry, the Tasmanian Government specifically committed to closing the Ashley Youth Detention Centre as soon as possible and building a new secure facility. The new Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility is designed to be small and homelike and promote a safe environment for children and young people and trusting relationships with staff.

This approach is part of broader youth justice reforms moving to a therapeutic model that focuses on early intervention, prevention and rehabilitation, with detention as a last resort. While the facility will provide secure accommodation for those who need it, its purpose is rehabilitation that focusses on interventions that support the safety and wellbeing of young people. 

The Tasmanian Government is implementing reform across the Youth Justice portfolio to build a system of therapeutic, community-based services that help prevent young people from reoffending and keep them out of detention where possible. This includes working with various service providers to offer early intervention, support for bail and rehabilitation services. 

The new Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility will play a role in this broader system but will focus on providing care for the small number of children and young people who need secure accommodation. The main focus of Government’s reform is on diversion and early intervention, with detention always being a last resort. 

The new Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility is a core element of the government’s broader reform efforts. It will provide a therapeutic, trauma-informed and culturally safe environment for a smaller number of children and young people sentenced to detention and a smaller number of children and young people on remand.

The temporary name for the new facility is the Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility. The dedicated name of the new facility is still to be confirmed.  The dedicated name will be selected in consultation with key stakeholders and will be confirmed before the new facility is complete.

The upcoming State Budget will include approximately $150 million for Tasmanian Youth Justice Facilities, including the new facility at Pontville. 

The final cost will be confirmed during the planning and design phases of the project.

The facility is designed to contain 16 residential beds. There are also an additional two beds in admissions and two beds in the health centre on site.

The design will offer the flexibility to accommodate the needs of young people across the planned number of beds.

The facility is designed to support rehabilitation by creating a safe, respectful, and therapeutic environment that addresses the underlying factors contributing to a young person’s involvement in the justice system.

Key features that support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending include the therapeutic design of the facility which will reflect a trauma-informed approach, with calm, home-like spaces that help build trust, emotional regulation, and a sense of stability.

Importantly, children and young people will have access to education programs, life skills development, and vocational training to support them in becoming well-adjusted, resilient teenagers who can stay safe and engage positively with their community.

The facility will also incorporate culturally appropriate spaces and programs, particularly for Aboriginal children and young people, to strengthen identity and community ties and connection to Country.

On-site health and mental health services will be available to address individual needs and support positive behavioural change.

The overall goal is to support children and young people to build the skills, confidence and relationships they need to lead positive lives when they return to the community.

The Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) undertook a public consultation in 2023 to help inform the site selection process. Stakeholders and the community had the opportunity to provide their feedback on two (2) shortlisted sites for a new facility (one in Pontville, and one in Risdon).

Based on feedback received through the public consultation and the final report from the Commission of Inquiry, the preferred site for the new facility was chosen to be 466 Brighton Road, Pontville. The Community Engagement Outcomes Report provides an overview of the public consultation.

Several feasibility investigations were completed to help determine the chosen site’s suitability for the new facility. Those investigations included:

• Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments
• Natural values assessments
• Noise monitoring
• Geotechnical assessments, and
• Infrastructure feasibility assessments.

The assessments took 12 months to complete and involved a range of on-site investigations, research, reporting, and consideration of the final recommendations by the Tasmanian Government.

The project and design teams are working with nearby landowners, residents and businesses to manage external factors such as noise and odour that may impact the site.  

The new facility is intended to be co-designed with Tasmanian Aboriginal people and include culturally enriching environments for Aboriginal children and young people that promote connection to family, community and Country.

During the assessment phase, an Aboriginal heritage assessment and sub-surface investigation was completed. The results of these assessments will be used to guide the design of the new facility to ensure any Aboriginal heritage is managed appropriately.

The Tasmanian Government recognises the over-representation of Aboriginal children and young people in the youth justice system. The Government has established an Aboriginal Reference Group and will work closely with Aboriginal youth justice organisations and people, across the range of Commission of Inquiry reforms, including specific aspects of the design and use of the new facility.

The size of the site gives the opportunity to create a large buffer between the facility and surrounding properties, including use of vegetation to provide visual screening. 

There will be works at the entrance of the site to allow access, which may impact nearby roads. Any works that impact access to nearby streets, roads or footpaths will be managed in a way required by the relevant authority (Council or the Department State Growth).

The new facility is not expected to significantly increase traffic in the local area.

Part of the consultation process will include working with relevant stakeholders on how to improve public transport to and from the area to provide greater access to the new facility for staff and visitors. This would also provide a benefit for the local community.

Research conducted by Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) on Correctional Centres in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory found that the increase in investment and infrastructure associated with custodial institutions results in more investor confidence and increasing property values as staff move into the area looking for housing.

No studies of property values have been undertaken in Tasmania. Past experience from other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, has shown concerns on the impacts to property prices were not realised.

The new facility is a commitment from the Tasmanian Government to the Commission of Inquiry. The proposed buildings can be described as small and homelike to assist in the approach of providing for a normalised, trauma-informed and therapeutic design.

Parts of the facility that are designed to assist in the rehabilitation of children and young people include:

• Spaces to interact with nature to improve health and wellbeing.
• Rooms with access to natural light and views to the surrounding landscape.
• Spaces that support children and young people to have normalised daily routines.
• Programs that give children and young people an opportunity to adjust into society upon release.

Research shows that rehabilitation, when provided in a secure, structured setting, helps stop children and young people from reoffending.

The new facility will work intensively to change the behaviours that led those children and young people to offend in the first place.

The new facility tackles the root causes of offending such as trauma, substance abuse, or disengagement with education, while also imposing structure, boundaries, and supervision.

By changing behaviour and improving life outcomes, it reduces the likelihood of future offending behaviour.

Yes. The facility is being designed with modern security infrastructure, 24/7 staffing, and clear procedures to manage risk. It will be able to accommodate children and young people who have committed serious offences in a safe and controlled environment.

The buildings are designed to be ‘human-scale’, similar to residential properties to create a welcoming and non-institutional atmosphere. The buildings will use materials like brick and timber and will feature either pitched roofs to align with the rural setting, or an angled roof which is more contemporary.

The New Tasmanian Youth Justice Facility Masterplan, [PDF,15MB] provides further detail and example sketches and imagery.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has led the design of the new Facility including the development of the Masterplan.  Delivery of the Facility will transition to the Department for Education, Children and Young People who will also have responsibility for its ongoing management.

Grieve Gillett Architect have been appointed as the Lead Design Consultant to design the new facility. They are based in Adelaide and have specific experience designing similar facilities. They are supported by Guymer Bailey Architects (Melbourne) and X-Squared Architects (Hobart) together with a broader team of sub-consultants.

These specialist consultants and contractors will make sure the facility meets the highest standards of therapeutic and secure care and minimise disruption to neighbouring residents and land users.

The new facility will include a range of spaces which are typical of a modern youth justice facility, such as:

• Entry facilities (including secure entry), together with an admissions building.
• A health centre providing health and mental health support such as GPs, counselling spaces and other allied health support.
• Administrative areas for staff.
• A visitor area with a small café servicing family and visitors that come to the site. The café will also function as a training kitchen for the children and young people.
• An education building with teaching spaces to support ongoing education and learning.
• Recreation facilities for structured physical activity and movement.
• A cultural centre and garden, which will provide greater opportunity for connection to family, community and country.
• Accommodation for up to 16 children and young people will be provided in the facility. This will include three- and four-bedroom houses, with two single bedroom studios. The houses will have a residential style kitchen, living and dining spaces, and laundry facilities so that the young people can cook, clean and live in a normalised environment together with staff overseeing their care.
• The houses will also have a multi-purpose space which can be used for education, health services or counselling.

The site will be accessed from Rifle Range Road which provides for a more discreet and controlled entry. Rifle Range Road will be upgraded to support this use.

The existing access off Brighton Road will continue to be used for agricultural activities, like how it is used now.

The site incorporates a secure perimeter, as well as internal fencing to differentiate between visitor zones and those for young people.

The ‘building as perimeter’ model comprises a combination of fencing and buildings forming the secure perimeter of the Facility. Fence materials include anti-climb mesh fencing with secure anti-climb tops.

Where buildings form the part of the perimeter, their external wall will be made from pre-cast concrete with steel framed windows and high security glazing.

The design and layout of the buildings allows for extensive sight lines across the facility, and passive supervision across the site. There are multiple pedestrian routes across the site to enable staff to manage and move young people safely within the facility.

There will also be external secure courtyards associated with each residential building that sit on the boundary with a tensioned mesh ‘roof’.

The fencing will be located some 200 metres from the nearest private properties.

There will be extensive CCTV coverage across the site, as well as movement detection radar technology.

Perimeter lighting will be positioned along site fencing. The lighting system will be motion-activated through a control system which dims the lights when not required. Parking and entryways will be well lit for staff and visitor safety.

Recreation areas will have LED light fixtures with timer controls to ensure safe movement when required.

Completion of the facility as soon as possible will be supported by the Youth Justice Facility Development Bill 2025, which will be tabled in Parliament on May 6.

The Bill, if passed, will ensure the facility can be delivered in 2027.

The Tasmanian Government will procure qualified contractors through a tender process to build the new facility.

Traffic is an important concern for local residents and minimising impacts during both construction and operation of the facility is a key commitment.

During construction, a traffic management plan will be developed to safely manage construction vehicle movements and reduce disruption to local roads. Construction hours will be managed to avoid peak local traffic times and reduce noise and congestion.

Once the facility is operating the number of daily vehicle movements is expected to be relatively low. The facility will not generate high volumes of traffic like a school or shopping centre.

On-site parking will be provided for staff and visitors, reducing the need for street parking.

The Project Team will continue to work closely with the local council to ensure any impacts are managed responsibly and transparently. Community feedback on local traffic concerns is also welcome as part of the planning process.

The facility will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be operated by the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP).

Yes. Supporting local businesses and creating local job opportunities is a priority. The Project Team will be working to ensure that:

• Local businesses are given fair opportunities to tender for work, including suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers.
• Local workers are considered wherever possible during both the construction and operational phases of the facility.
• Apprenticeships and traineeships are encouraged as part of the construction process to support skills development in the local workforce.

In addition, ways the operating model of the facility can provide longer-term opportunities for local employment and partnerships with community organisations and service providers will be explored.

The Government is committed to ensuring sure the project delivers broader economic and social benefits for the surrounding community, not just through the construction of the facility itself, but through the way it’s operated.

Access to public transport is important for families, visitors, and staff and it is understood that there are currently limited public transport options near the site.

While the project can’t commit to the creation of new public transport services at this stage, the Project Team will work with relevant Government agencies to explore how transport connections can be improved as part of the planning and delivery of the facility.

Making the facility as accessible as possible is important and the Project Team will continue to engage with the community and stakeholders to work through transport options in more detail.

The new facility will provide a range of therapeutic and practical supports tailored to each young person’s needs. This includes:

• access to education,
• mental health care,
• drug and alcohol services,
• cultural support, and
• life skills development.

The goal is to help children and young people address the issues that led them into the justice system and build a foundation for a positive future.

Yes. Education is a key part of the model of care. Young people will be supported to continue or re-engage with their education while in the new facility, including school-based learning and vocational training. Programs will be flexible to suit different learning levels and help prepare young people for employment or further study when they return to the community.

Young people expected to enter the new Facility will often have complex health and mental health needs. The facility will include access to on-site or visiting health professionals including psychologists, counsellors, nurses, and general practitioners. A trauma-informed approach underpins the model of care, meaning staff are trained to respond with empathy and to support emotional and psychological healing.

Yes. Cultural safety is a central part of the new facility’s model. The design of the Facility will include dedicated cultural spaces to enable Aboriginal staff, Elders, and community organisations to provide specific programs to support Aboriginal children and young people within the facility. Culturally responsive programs aim to strengthen identity, belonging, and connection to culture and country.

The aim of the Model of Care is to identify and address the needs of children and young people by providing safe and secure care, education, services and programs that meet their needs and support them to address their offending behaviour. 

The wellbeing and rehabilitation-oriented approach is believed to be more effective at addressing social and criminogenic needs and therefore reducing reoffending rates. Within this approach, accountability for the wrongdoing is a focus. This includes children and young people receiving support to develop an understanding of the impact of the harm caused to victims and to engage in opportunities for reparation and restoration.

Those working alongside them will support them, and their families, to access wider system and community supports, increasing the chances of children and young people returning and remaining successfully in the community.

The Tasmanian Government will seek feedback on the Masterplan from the surrounding community, nearby landowners, identified key stakeholders and Tasmanian Aboriginal organisations and people.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Advisory and Reference Groups that were established to provide advice on key aspects of Youth Justice Reform are also being engaged.

The project team has engaged directly with key stakeholders, landowners and representatives from the Tasmanian Aboriginal community during the development of the Masterplan. This provided an important opportunity to gather feedback and understand any concerns related to the design of the facility and its operation.

The outcomes of this engagement have been used to help inform the Masterplan and the associated design process. 

You can provide feedback on the design shown in the Masterplan by attending a community drop-in session.

Session 1 community drop-in details:

Date –

• Wednesday, 14 May 2025 (4.00 – 6.00PM)

Location –

• Brighton Football Club, 325 Brighton Road, Pontville.

Session 2 community drop-in details:

Date –

• Thursday, 22 May 2025 (4.00 – 6.00PM)

Location –

• Brighton Football Club, 325 Brighton Road, Pontville.

At these drop-in sessions, you will have the opportunity to talk with the project team, as well as the program delivery team, who will be supporting the young people in the centre.

These will be informal meetings, and you are welcome to drop in at any time while we are there. You are not required to RSVP to attend the sessions.

If these times or this location is not convenient for you, or if you would like to provide feedback another way, please get in touch with our Stakeholder Engagement team at ERA Planning and Environment.

• Phone: (03) 6165 0443
• Email: newyjfacility@decyp.tas.gov.au

The feedback provided on the Masterplan will be considered by the project team and used to inform the development application for planning approval.

The project team will continue to engage with key stakeholders and landowners as the design and development of the facility progresses and provide regular updates on the project website.

If you have any questions about the project, please get in touch with our Stakeholder Engagement team at ERA Planning and Environment on (03) 6165 0443 or by email at newyjfacility@decyp.tas.gov.au.