FEBRUARY 8, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE ■ Residents meet to slam government plan
■ Community anger over lack of consultation
Detention centre debacle By Charlene Macaulay There’s been an outpouring of community anger over plans for a new $288 million high security youth detention centre at Werribee South. After nearly a week of speculation, the state government confirmed on Monday that it will start construction of a 224-bed youth detention centre along Hoppers Lane early next year – despite no consultation with either Wyndham council or locals. The prison, which is slated for completion by the end of 2020, will hold both remanded and sentenced offenders, and include a 12-bed mental health unit and an “intensive supervision unit” with at least eight beds. The detention centre will be located in an area earmarked for part of the East Werribee employment precinct, and will be about two kilometres down the road from select-entry high school Suzanne Cory, Victoria University, Werribee Mercy Hospital, Wyndham Private Medical Centre, St Vincent’s Private Werribee Hospital and Werribee Open Range Zoo. It is also within five kilometres of Wyndham Harbour. A statement from the state government also cited “scope for future expansion” at the 31-hectare government-owned site. Premier Daniel Andrews said Werribee South had been chosen for its proximity to health and education services, and the “significant buffer” between the detention centre and residential areas. More than 6500 people have already signed a petition opposing the location of the centre, while almost 2000 people are following the newly-formed Speak Out – Wyndham’s Voice Facebook page. The group will be holding a public meeting on Monday, February 13, 7.30pm, at Encore Stadium to voice their concerns about the centre’s location, and it has invited state and federal MPs. Group co-founder Lisa Heinrichs said at least 20 Werribee South farmers will ride their tractors past the Hoppers Lane location, along Sneydes Road and up Derrimut Road, to the public meeting, bearing signs that will read: “Not in Werribee South”. “We’re not taking it lying down,” she said. “I can’t think of a worse location – you’ve got hospitals, a medical centre, a school, Victoria University – it’s a stone’s throw away from upper Point Cook and close to our tourist precinct.”
Pallas cops the wrath of voters
Riots at Malmsbury sparked calls for a higher security youth detention centre. (Paul Jeffers/Fairfax Media)
Meanwhile, residents have flooded the Wyndham Star Weekly Facebook page, with more than 600 comments venting frustration with the plan, and many raising concerns about the lack of consultation and the youth jail’s proximity to Wyndham Harbour, the Werribee South tourism precinct, hospitals, schools and homes. A state government media release said construction would follow “close consultation with the local community”, but Ratepayers of Werribee South president Joe Garra said talk of consulting with people, after an announcement
had already been made, was insulting. “There’s no consultation if we’re not allowed to voice our opinions,” Mr Garra said. Wyndham mayor Henry Barlow concurred, adding: “What are we going to consult about? The colour scheme? “We’ve had no consultation – we haven’t had any meeting with ministers or the government itself as to possible locations out here – this is just being sprung on us and, let me tell you, we’re not happy about it.” ■ Continued
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Werribee MP Tim Pallas has come under fire from his constituents for not representing community views about the Werribee South youth detention centre furore. Former Wyndham councillor and five-time mayor Shane Bourke was among many to express disappointment in Mr Pallas via social media. “Tim Pallas had the nerve to say ‘my community’ in a newspaper article this morning. No Tim, it is not your community. Never has been and never will be,” Mr Bourke wrote on the Wyndham Star Weekly Facebook page. Other comments on the Facebook page include this from Glen: “It is obvious Tim Pallas doesn’t care about his electorate. He should be listening to what the people are saying.” And from Nicole: “He has clearly chosen his position as treasurer over being a member for Wyndham – shame on you, Tim Pallas, sitting in your ivory tower.” Western metropolitan MP Bernie Finn called on Mr Pallas to resign. “He has sold out the people of Werribee and he is not fit to represent them in parliament,” Mr Finn said. Mr Pallas’ office did not respond to Star Weekly’s questions about the lack of consultation, community opposition and a request for more details, instead opting to release a short statement: “Werribee is a proud and growing community and this facility will not only complement the government’s plans for a justice precinct in Werribee – but ensure that there are a range of blue and white collar jobs for the growing area,” it read. “We will continue to work closely with Wyndham city council and the local community to ensure the facility incorporates community feedback, as well as exploring opportunities for new transport and community infrastructure.” Charlene Macaulay