Hold-up for at-risk kids

A MULTIMILLION-dollar State Government homeless shelter project faces six months of delays to “get it right”, with MPs branding the hold-up “a disgrace”.

The Government has hit the brakes on the $13.4 million Youth Foyer despite previously saying it would be built by the end of the year.

It will eventually offer 40 safe and secure units for youth in Southport and was originally announced in August.

Six months later, a question on notice in Parliament has revealed it is still in the design process due to “ongoing negotiations”. The project is now forecast to be ready early 2020.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said the delay was because he wanted to “make sure we get the Youth Foyer right’’.

“We are in the process of some design amendments to the building so it delivers the support young people need at the same time as fitting with the neighbourhood.”

Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow said the delay on the project, on land at the corner of North and High streets, was inexcusable and a disgrace.

“The State Government has owned that land since 2017 and now we are going to wait at least another year before any accommodation is available,” she said. “There are so many homeless people in the area. Any excuse is just a cop out.

“We have 12-year waiting lists for homes and teenagers rough sleeping in the park.”

Bonney LNP MP Sam O’Connor said youth homelessness was a big issue.

“I’m disappointed it’s been delayed and won’t even start construction until 18 months after it was funded,” he said.

“Locals are completely in the dark.

“The people living next door, local organisations and especially the major high school just a few hundred metres away deserve to know what’s planned.”

The centre is to provide safe housing and be staffed 24/7 by youth support workers. Tenants, aged 16-25, are to pay 25 per cent of income in rent.

Public submissions are to open soon.