KEY POINTS:
A site south of Rotorua has been chosen as the preferred place for a new youth justice residence.
Child, Youth and Family Minister Ruth Dyson said the Parekarangi site was geologically suitable and had strong local support.
That enabled the Government to move to the next stage, formal designation of the land, Ms Dyson said.
Resource and building consents would then be sought.
However, Ms Dyson said final details and costs had yet to be finalised because the site presented significant building challenges.
Geotechnical and civil engineering advice would be completed within the next two months.
Provided that advice was positive, and "barring unforeseen circumstances" construction of the residence was expected to start before the end of the year.
The 10-hectare site was on Parekarangi Trust land, off State Highway 30, 12km south of Rotorua city.
CYF would be seeking a designation to accommodate 40 people.
Some 24 young people would be initially housed in the residence, which would be built in stages.
- NZPA
