Approval for South West justice facility
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An Indigenous healing and training facility to trial a criminal justice rehabilitation and reintegration program has been approved to be built in the state's South West.
The Western Australian Planning Commission yesterday approved the Karla Waangkiny centre on a 12-hectare lot on 6043 Forrest Highway in Myalup, at its meeting.
To be named the Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH) Myalup Karla Waangkiny mixed use justice initiative, the pilot program aims to rehabilitate and re-integrate Aboriginal people who are incarcerated or have been involved in the criminal justice system.
The facility’s project cost is estimated as $15 million, but a $40 million price tag is listed in the WAPC document.
According to the document, the pilot program would give Aboriginal people aged 16-35 years a place to heal and receive holistic support in a bid to break intergenerational cycles of trauma and avoid their re-engagement in the justice system.
About 144 people would participate in the FISH program, which lasts up to 18 months.
“The program will host a maximum of 20 minimum security day-release participants from Karnet and Bunbury Regional Prisons,” the document reads.
“These participants will attend healing programs and work in a range of the activities, and will be under direct, permanent supervision according to Department of Justice policy.
“They will not directly mingle with members of the public.”
Landowner Rae Group has a 40-year lease over the site.
At its meeting yesterday, the WAPC also approved Hall & Prior’s $90 million aged care facility in East Fremantle.
The FISH facility and the Hall & Prior project were the 30th and 31st proposals approved in the Part 17 pathway, also known as the Significant Development Assessment Unit.
“The Woodside aged care and Karla Waangkiny Indigenous healing centres are both significant projects that are needed in the Western Australian community and will make a positive contribution to the state,” WAPC Chairman David Caddy said.
“The commission is pleased to have played a role in all 31 significant projects it has approved to date and is looking forward to playing a continuing role in encouraging high-calibre significant developments around the state through the remaining Part 17 and the new Part 11 proposals.”
The Part 17 pathway will be replaced by a Part 11 permanent pathway next year, with the WAPC still the determining authority.