Major milestone delivered for Cairns Youth Justice School

Ohana for Youth will deliver the new Youth Justice School in the Cairns CBD, providing targeted support for high-risk young people and marking a significant step forward in addressing youth crime in Far North Queensland.

This is an announcement many in our community have been waiting for.

For too long, Far North Queensland has been at the frontline of youth crime. Families, businesses and residents have lived with the impacts every day, from repeat offending to growing concerns about safety and confidence in the system. There has been a clear call for action that goes beyond short term responses and delivers real, lasting change.

This matters because it signals a shift in approach. It is not just about responding to crime after it happens, but about preventing it at its source and breaking the cycle that has affected our region for years.

The purpose of the Youth Justice School is to do exactly that. It is designed to re-engage young people aged 12 to 17 who are on youth justice orders and who have often disengaged from education and support networks. Without intervention, these young people are at significant risk of continuing down a path of offending. This initiative aims to change that trajectory.

Through a structured and disciplined environment, the school will deliver intensive, practical support. Students will receive individual case management, behavioural reform, mentoring and strong supervision throughout the day, alongside a tailored education program that helps them reconnect with learning in a way that works for them.

Importantly, the model recognises that change does not happen in isolation. Family support and parental coaching are key components, helping to create a stable environment that reinforces positive behaviour and long-term outcomes. With extended hours of supervision each day, young people will be supported, engaged and given the structure many have been missing.

This approach is built on a clear understanding of what drives youth crime. Disengagement from education is one of the strongest contributing factors. When young people fall out of school, they are far more likely to enter and remain in the justice system. By bringing them back into a structured educational setting and surrounding them with the right support, we can reduce reoffending and, importantly, reduce the number of victims in our community.

This initiative does not stand alone. It is part of a broader effort focused on stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation. These measures are working together to address both the causes and consequences of crime, and early results are showing progress, including a reduction in victim numbers.

For our community, this also highlights what was missing for too long. There was not enough early intervention, not enough targeted support for high-risk youth, and not enough focus on keeping young people engaged in education. The result was a cycle that continued, leaving communities frustrated and calling for meaningful change.

This announcement represents a different approach. It delivers a practical solution that responds directly to what Far North Queensland has been asking for and acknowledges the lived experiences of those who have been impacted.

It is important to reiterate what this means. This is not just about opening a new facility. It is about breaking cycles of offending, supporting young people to take responsibility for their actions, and giving them the tools to build a better future. It is also about restoring safety and confidence for the wider community.

The Cairns Youth Justice School is a major milestone for our region. It reflects a clear commitment to delivering real solutions, backed by investment and focused on long term outcomes.

Most importantly, it shows that Far North Queensland has been heard and that action is being taken to deliver safer communities now and into the future.