- Early works almost complete on new facility for State's most high-risk youth with the tender for major construction set to open soon
- Cook Government focused on building safe communities, by combatting antisocial behaviour and reducing youth crime
- More than $426 million invested in youth detention since mid-2022 to improve facilities, services, staffing and outcomes
The Cook Government has committed $147 million to fully fund construction of a new youth detention facility in Perth.
The funds are in addition to $11.5 million already allocated for detailed planning and early project works, with the first stage of preliminary works nearing completion.
The purpose-built facility alongside Banksia Hill Detention Centre in Canning Vale will provide therapeutic support and a secure environment.
The tender for the major construction work is set to open shortly. Once completed, the new facility will replace Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison, which currently accommodates high-risk young people who cannot be safely housed at Banksia Hill.
The funding comes on top of $268 million invested in youth detention since mid-2022 to improve facilities, services, staffing and outcomes.
As a result, young people in the justice system now regularly attend school under a trauma-informed model, benefit from staff with National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders training and have access to Elders, health in-reach programs and cultural initiatives.
A $29.1 million eight-bed Crisis Care Unit (CCU) at Banksia Hill is also nearing completion, providing specialised support for young people experiencing mental health crises.
Comments attributed to Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"Youth detention in Western Australia has been transformed since we announced comprehensive reforms in June 2023.
"This substantial investment will continue to improve outcomes for young people while building safe communities by reducing youth crime.
"WA is now one of only three jurisdictions improving against the national Closing the Gap target for a 30 per cent reduction in the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention by 2031."
