About the new service
We’re investing in a new residential rehabilitation service to help young people get support for problematic alcohol and other drug use.
The residential rehabilitation service will be based in Cairns. It will provide live-in treatment and care for young people and their families who live in North Queensland. The new centre includes:
- live-in accommodation for up to 10 young people
- buildings for treatment programs including reception for clients and visitors
- office space and an overnight room for staff
- parking for up to 10 cars and ambulance access
- kitchen, dining and laundry facilities
- indoor and outdoor spaces for recreation, program activities and cultural care.
There will also be non-residential treatment programs for young people available at a separate leased location in Cairns.
Why it’s important
Alcohol and other drug services are part of a range of treatment options for people who are seeking help with problematic substance use.
The new service will help support the existing alcohol and other drug treatment services in North Queensland. It will also:
- improve local access to specialist services, and help people get treatment closer to home
- meet community needs and demand for alcohol and other drug treatment services
- create up to 30 new full-time jobs when services are operating.
Building works will also benefit the Cairns community through new jobs for construction, planning and design.
Who it’s for
The residential rehabilitation program is for young people and their families who live in Cairns and North Queensland that are experiencing problematic substance use.
It's available to young people from 13 to 18 years.
The non-residential program will be available for young people up to 25 years.
Both programs will provide culturally appropriate care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples, their families and their communities.
Location
The residential rehabilitation service is at 26-28 Mount Peter Rd, Edmonton Qld 4869.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service will own the land and buildings. It includes nearly 2 acres of space for the service and buildings.
What services will be available
The new service will include residential and non-residential programs. The programs will provide effective multi-agency responses for young people experiencing problematic substance use.
The new service will also help meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples and their families through:
- cultural healing programs and services
- traditional ways of learning
- support from Elders for healing activities.
Residential rehabilitation program
The purpose-built centre will provide structured residential rehabilitation programs for young people from 13 to 18 years.
The programs are generally 6 to 12 weeks but can be up to 6 months. The programs include pre-treatment and post-treatment support for young people and their families.
The program helps young people take part in individual and group therapeutic activities. It also helps young people develop daily living skills to support their recovery in the community.
Non-residential program
The non-residential program will be located off-site. It’s for young people up to 25 years and will offer a range of treatment and support options including:
- assertive outreach services
- psychosocial interventions
- family therapy and cultural healing programs.
Treatment and service provider
The new service will be managed by a provider of specialist and culturally responsive youth alcohol and other drugs treatment. They will be under contract with the Queensland Department of Health to manage the service.
The service will be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with experienced and qualified staff.
Project timeline
| September 2024 | Construction starts onsite and Service provider appointed | |
Late 2024 | Building and construction expected to start | |
October 2023 | Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) decision announced | |
June to July 2022 | Formal public notification phase for the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process | |
5 April 2022 | In-person community information forum for local residents | |
18 January 2022 | Online community information forum for local residents | |
January 2022 | Preliminary engagement phase for the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process |
Project approval
The new service design follows the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process.
To read the approval decision or learn more about the MID process, visit the MID public register on the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works website.
Search for MID-0322-0588 – Cairns youth residential rehabilitation facility.
News and updates
We publish regular updates about the new service including information about the building process, tenders and community consultations.
September 2024
Queensland Health has appointed Youth Empowered Towards Independence (YETI), a Cairns-based non-government organisation to deliver youth alcohol and other drugs residential rehabilitation and non-residential programs in collaboration with the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) and Gindaja Treatment and Healing Indigenous Corporation.
Hutchinson Builders started on the site in September 2024 and construction works are progressing.
February 2024
The Minister has announced a $19.3 million investment into the Cairns youth alcohol and other drugs residential treatment service. The investment is part of the Cairns Big Health Build.
We have also awarded the building contract to Hutchinson Builders. The design development is in progress, and we expect building to start in mid-2024. Read the Queensland Government Ministerial media statement to learn more.
October 2023
The Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application has been approved by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works.
November 2023
The Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) formal public notification period has started. The proposal was available online on the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning website. Submissions about the proposal can made by 19 December 2023.
June 2023
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning held a public consultation as part of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process. The consultation closed on 27 July 2022.
April 2023
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning held a public consultation as part of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process. The consultation closed on 10 May 2023.
Community safety
Effective treatment for alcohol and other drugs issues helps reduce substance use. It helps to improve community safety by allowing better and earlier access to treatment. It also reduces a client's risk of alcohol and drug related harm.
There is no evidence that suggests crime rates or safety issues increase because of alcohol and other drug residential treatment services.
The service is an alcohol and non-prescribed drug free zone. Young people who take part in the service programs cannot have or take alcohol or drugs.
The service provider will manage clients and visitors including any possible incidents, disturbances, or nuisances if they happen.
Queensland Health and Queensland Police will also work with the local community to address any issues should they arise.
Contact us
Email AOD_CapitalProjects@health.qld.gov.au if you have any questions about the new services.
If you're concerned about your own or someone else's substance use, call Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support on 1800 177 833.
You can also visit their website for more information or to chat with a counsellor online.