Farmers question plan to build youth centre near Ord cotton properties

Plans to locate a proposed night space for at-risk youth on an isolated former farm in Western Australia's far north have sparked opposition from concerned locals.

The Department of Justice and local Aboriginal corporations want to build the new facility in Kununurra, 3,196km north of Perth, to help address endemic youth crime issues in the community.

The overgrown site, 7km from town in the surrounding Ord Valley, currently has a set of sheds from an abandoned sandalwood plantation on a lease known locally as Waringarri Farm Block.

The $5.9 million night space is designed to be non-residential and operate overnight from Thursday to Sunday between 9pm and 3pm.

Youth would be transported to and from the facility and provided with food, a laundry and support.

Kununurra has long been grappling with how to reduce youth crime and social dysfunction, with potential solutions driven by the community.

Advocates hope the facility will have a similarly positive impact to an equivalent facility in Fitzroy Crossing, credited with reducing crime and harm in the town.

Farmers say site poses problems

Farmer Katie Neve, whose land sits adjacent to the block, said there were significant problems with the location.

"This land-use decision risks undermining the very agricultural supply chain," Ms Neve said.

"We're talking about a strategic agricultural precinct. Planning decisions made today will influence investment confidence in the Ord Valley for years to come."

Ms Neve said it was a high-risk location.

"There's a lot of heavy vehicles, sheds surround this site which house a lot of high-risk things, there's irrigation channels, no street lights or footpaths," she said.

"In the middle of the night they could fall into a channel or be hit by a truck."

Ms Neve said there was also a potential fire risk when the surrounding fields were sown with cotton.

"It's really reasonable to ask whether an introduction of a youth facility in the middle of this agricultural precinct is going to be compatible," she said.

Initial location opposed

It is the second proposed location for the facility, with plans to open it within Kununurra's light industrial area opposed by nearby businesses.

"Those people are going to be placed into the midst of a light industrial area with all the inherent dangers that exist," Wyndham-East Kimberley Shire President David Menzel said at the time.

"No matter how much barbed wire and high the fences, we know that this very creative cohort of children have an ability to access nearly everywhere and everything."

Mr Menzel said he had been told in April that a second site was being considered by the proponents.

A Justice Department spokesperson said community consultation and advice from WA Police showed a preference to have the night space away from town.

The Ivanhoe Road site met those requirements, the spokesperson said.

"Neighbouring residents have been consulted via phone, email and in-person meetings."

Consultation queried

That is disputed by Ms Neve, who said as a neighbour she had heard nothing about the project until this week.

She said farmers had learned about the proposal only by word of mouth.

Mr Menzel said it highlighted the ability of the state government to overrule community concerns regarding planning decisions.

"Because it's a state facility, the state has the authority to override any of our planning processes anyway," he said.

A new petition against the location will be lodged with the state government by residents.

The East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it had asked the department to consider further community consultation.

In a letter to members, chief executive Keda Bond said the chamber "continued to be contacted by members about the project".

"Many in the community are not yet aware of the model, how it will operate, or why the location may need to be outside the town centre," she said.

Ms Bond said clear information and practical consultation was required.

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