Premier Steven Miles and Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer have marked the start of construction on a new 80-bed youth detention centre at Woodford—one of three new facilities planned.
Lead contractor BESIX Watpac (QLD) Pty Ltd has commenced enabling works, with major construction to follow. The facility is expected to be completed by 2026 and will support hundreds of jobs during and after construction.
The $627.61 million facility will include therapeutic design elements to support youth rehabilitation, such as smaller, home-like accommodation units, consultation and treatment rooms, and spaces for education, skills development, and cultural connection.
First Nations stakeholders, including the Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation, are contributing to the design, ensuring it incorporates cultural knowledge and connection.
The government is also building a 40-bed facility near Cairns and a youth remand centre at Wacol, adding 120 detention beds statewide by 2027. By 2026, Queensland’s youth detention capacity will have nearly doubled since 2015.
Premier Miles said: “We want serious repeat offenders to be reprimanded, and that includes detention.”
“But we also want to ensure young people leave with the skills and confidence to turn their lives around.”
Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer highlighted the centre’s focus on rehabilitation. “Therapeutic models of care address the complex causes of offending, reducing recidivism and helping young people transition successfully back into the community,” she said.