Hon Julie Freeman questions the Minister for Regional Development regarding ongoing delays in the opening of the Marlamanu on-country diversionary facility, impacting Aboriginal youth detention in the Kimberley. The Minister acknowledges delays due to flooding, approvals, and recruitment, but indicates the facility will open this year.

AnsweredQoN 1046Legislative Council
Asked
13 November 2025
Portfolio
Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

Marlamanu on-country diversionary facility
1046. Hon Julie Freeman to
the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the
government's repeated commitments to deliver the Marlamanu on-country
diversionary facility, first promised for completion in 2023 then rescheduled
to open in the second half of 2024 and noting that the facility remains
unopened and that its delay has significant implications for the detention of
Aboriginal youth in the Kimberley.
(1) What is the current status of the Marlamanu
facility?
(2) What factors have caused the ongoing delays in
delivering this project?
(3) Given the continued slippage in timelines,
what is the expected opening date for the Marlamanu on-country facility?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) Practical completion of the on-country
residential facility was recently achieved. Factors impacting the timeline for
the completion of the facility include the requirements to change the facility
location due to flooding and delays in receiving development application
approvals lodged via the Shire of Derby–West Kimberley. Recruitment for
various positions are being finalised. With key positions filled, the opening
of the centre will take place this year.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more