No to youth jail project

Petition started to stop a detention centre in town

l EDMONTON | Nick

Dalton

A PETITION to try to stop a new youth detention centre at Edmonton has been launched by a new Cairns Regional Council candidate.

Division 2 hopeful Steve Lippingwell has started the petition after receiving a lot of feedback from residents who don’t want it in suburbia.

“The Queensland Government recently announced that Edmonton is actively being considered for the construction of a youth detention facility,” he said.

“Any site in Edmonton would be unsuitable due to the close proximity of homes, schools, aged care, and the central business hub.

“Edmonton has one of the highest crime rates in Queensland. Building a youth detention facility in a high crime suburb, where attempts to abscond may be assisted by other offenders, is poor planning.”

Mr Lippingwell said it was an issue that was mentioned to him nearly every day as he campaigned around Edmonton, Bentley Park and Mt Sheridan.

“There is talk of a site near the chicken farm in Mt Peter Rd. Another is Thomson Rd. People don’t know where it is going and are being left in a vacuum,” he said.

“Residents are concerned that its proximity to homes and businesses, such as bottle shops and tobacconists, make attempts to abscond more tempting and poses an unacceptable risk to the community.”

Mr Lippingwell said the government had not consulted the community, causing a lot of concern.

He said the centre needed to be a large site to include support services as well as education and TAFE classes and sporting facilities.

Mr Lippingwell said there was plenty of land at the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre which was close to Mareeba.

He said he was concerned that the proposed opening of the detention centre in 2026 was too far away and that recidivist offenders needed rehabilitation help now.

Long-time resident and former city councillor Fran Lindsay said one of the proposed sites on Mt Peter Rd also backed on to Stokes St and would need a lot of security fencing.

“These young people are trying to get off drugs and alcohol and there are pubs, clubs and bottle shops nearby. Booze and drugs could be passed over the fence,” she said.

Mr Lippingwell is hoping for 5000 signatures and has gathered more than 570 as of Wednesday. The petition closes September 11. There also will be paper versions being distributed around division 2.

Visit: www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Workof-the-Assembly/Petitions/PetitionDetails?id=3934

Multicultural celebration

The community is invited to celebrate the region’s rich diversity at a free family event today (18 August) at Harald Falge Park.

The festivies start at 5pm, with children’s activities, culturally diverse finger foods and a free sausage sizzle. Cultural dances will start at 5.30pm, followed by an acoustic performance by Chris Whitchurch, and then the free screening of family friendly movie Vivo from 7pm.

Local Laws review

Have your say on the Local Laws that govern a wide range of activities across the region, from abandoned vehicles to what can go in your wheelie bin.

Council has proposed amendments to 12 of its Local Laws and introduce a new Local Law specifically on waste management. You can review the changes on the Have Your Say section of Council’s website, or in person at the Spence Street Customer Service Centre or Cairns Libraries branches. Consultation closes at 4pm on Wednesday 13 September.

Improvement works

English St, Manunda: Kerb and channel renewal, water main renewal, and pavement rehabilitation between Hoare St and Dollisson St. Property access disruptions, lane closures and traffic control in place.