The Tasmanian Government announced in September 2021 that the Ashley Youth Detention Centre would close and be replaced by new fit-for-purpose facilities.
The Draft Youth Justice Facilities Model (PDF, 462KB) released in late 2022 identified the need for five new purpose-built facilities.
- One detention facility in the south
- Two support centres (working title), one in the north and one in the south
- Two assisted bail facilities (working title), one in the north and one in the south.
A preliminary assessment has identified three potential sites in the greater Hobart area for the new detention facility.
These are sites at 2B Goodwood Road Dowsing Point, (PDF, 480KB), 972 East Derwent Highway Risdon (PDF, 461KB) and 466 Brighton Road (between Pontville and Mangalore) (PDF, 502KB).
The criteria for determining suitability of a site for the new detention facility includes:
- Located in the greater Hobart region, within reasonable driving distance from the Hobart CBD
- Located away from schools and major residential areas
- Site size greater than two hectares
- Government-owned
- Appropriately zoned under the relevant Tasmanian Planning Scheme as a permitted or discretionary use.
Based on this preliminary assessment, the sites at 466 Brighton Road (PDF, 502KB) and 972 East Derwent Highway (PDF,461KB) have been identified as preferred sites.
Click to view the New Youth Detention Facility Questions and Answers (PDF, 408KB)
Extensive public consultation was undertaken from 23 March to 4 May 2023 so that all stakeholders and the community had the opportunity to provide their feedback on these sites. Feedback received through the consultation process is being used to inform a final decision on the proposed site for the new youth detention facility.
More details on each of the proposed new facilities and their functions are available to view:
Support Centre further details (PDF, 74KB)
Detention Facility further details (PDF, 66KB)
Assisted Bail Facility further details (PDF, 75KB)
The Tasmanian Government has allocated $50 million to progress delivery of these new youth justice facilities.
For more information on Youth Justice Reform in Tasmania, please email yjreform@decyp.tas.gov.au