Jabalbina shelves Daintree training village development
Daintree Village
Plans by Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation to build a youth training centre across the river from Daintree Village have been withdrawn.
Douglas Shire Council’s Environment and Planning Department last week issued notice of the Withdrawal of Application MCUI 2024_5698/1 for 200 Upper Daintree Road and other sites.
It comes just a week after Jabalbina was announced as an organisation to deliver the State Government’s Staying on Track program of up to 12 months of rehabilitation for youths exiting detention, including at least six months’ intensive support to reintegrate them into the community and prevent them falling back into a cycle of crime.
Strong concerns were raised by multiple residents of the tight knit Daintree Village community when the proposal was raised in January this year, with one saying the project will be “detrimental” to the region if it goes ahead.
Plans for the Daintree River Station project submitted to Douglas Shire Council included as many as 17 buildings, including 12 accommodation suites, an education centre, rooms for families to stay overnight, and a two-room “chillout refuge unit”.
One of the stated aims of the centre was to “address a range of issues, including mental health challenges, substance abuse, and behavioural concerns”.
“The proposed training village by Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex needs of young Aboriginal people and their families,” the plans state.
“By providing vocational training, cultural programs, and therapeutic support, the village will offer participants the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
But in a letter sent to council on September 26, wildPlan chief executive Dominic Hammersley, acting for Jabalbina, gave formal notice to withdraw the development application.
Mr Hammersley said the development application was withdrawn as the Intensive On Country Program can be undertaken as a Community Residence which is as of right under the Planning Act 2016 – and involves a lesser scale built form than proposed under the now withdrawn development application.
Support public interest journalism
Help us to continue covering local stories that matter. Please consider supporting below.
