State Government confirms six-month delay to Kimberley juvenile on-country facility, set to open late 2023

The opening of an on-country rehabilitation facility aimed at at-risk youth in the Kimberley has been delayed by six months, with design work set to begin in coming weeks. Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced the $15 million residential facility in May, claiming it would be up and running in early 2023. During a visit to Broome this week, Ms MacTiernan said the planning process was “complex”, with negotiations occurring between lead government agencies and Aboriginal leaders to determine the program’s roll-out. Marlamanu Pty Ltd has been selected to oversee the Aboriginal-led diversionary program, which will take place on Myroodah cattle station, about 112km south-east of Derby in the West Kimberley. “Marlamanu” — meaning “help” in Walmajarri — will aim to provide up to 16 places a year for young men between 14 and 17. Negotiations are also being made with Western Australia Police Force and Department of Communities and Justice to refine a referral system in the second and third year of the program. “I can’t tell you how important we see this facility as being,” Ms MacTiernan said. “The program is conceived of getting at-risk youth . . . out of the towns in the Kimberley and on to the Myroodah pastoral station where there’ll be this opportunity to reset.” It comes as the McGowan Government faces scrutiny for its handling of the treatment of inmates at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, particularly the transfer of a “difficult” group of juveniles to Casuarina Maximum-security prison in July. The on-country facility is part of a $40.4 million package promised by the McGowan Government in May to tackle youth crime and the cycle of reoffending in the Kimberley. “We need to have some alternatives to detention and to Banksia Hill in the Kimberley,” Ms McTiernan said at the time. The minister now acknowledges the facility will “be a few months late” but said it was important the Government developed a clear plan. There will also be additional funding to other youth justice programs in the hope a “layered approach” will achieve the best outcome. This included $240,000 towards the development of safe plan residential accommodation in Derby and Kununurra by Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation and Miriuwung Gajerrong Aboriginal Corporation. Twelve local projects aimed at engaging with youth will also receive a portion of $2m from the Kimberley Community Action Fund over the next two years.