FEBRUARY 15, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE ■ Residents vow to continue the fight
■ Anger over lack of consultation
‘Tim’s Palace’ condemned By Charlene Macaulay Thousands of people flocked to Werribee’s main street on Monday night to roar their disapproval at a new $288 million high security youth prison earmarked for Werribee South. Werribee MP Tim Pallas and youth affairs minister Jenny Mikakos were notable no-shows at the rally, which shut down Watton Street and Station Place. The protest kicked off with a 20-strong tractor convoy – each machine bearing a sign that read “not in Werribee South” – driving from Fragapane Farms along Duncans Road, past the Hoppers Lane site earmarked for the youth detention centre, and into Watton Street. Despite the protest, Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday insisted the Werribee South location was the most suitable. Resident and farmer Andrew Fragapane, who also led a tractor protest in support of the toxic dump campaign 20 years ago, said he hopes people power can once again shift the government’s mindset. “I think numbers can help,” he said. “Why are they going to put it in the middle of Werribee? “There’s plenty of other land in the western suburbs. From here to Geelong, there’s thousands of acres, and they want to plunk it here right in Werribee – it’s ridiculous. “We live here, this is our backyard, and it’s a bad stigma for Werribee. I don’t want to bring my children up around the jail.” Organisers estimated a crowd of 8000 gathered for the Speak Out – Wyndham’s Voice rally. Scores of people held signs – with one woman even bringing along a toilet seat. Protesters signed a petition against building the youth detention centre at Werribee South. Wyndham mayor Henry Barlow kicked off proceedings, reinforcing the council’s opposition to the Werribee South plan. “There is no doubt we’ve been short-changed on this deal,” he said. Werribee Ratepayers Association president Joe Garra said it beggared belief that the state government would build a youth detention centre amid the East Werribee employment precinct, and within close proximity of the Wyndham tourist precinct, the Werribee food bowl, properties and other amenities. He urged locals to dub the site “Tim’s Palace”. Protesters backed three motions – one, to condemn the state government for not
Main: The protest builds up steam at the site of the proposed juvenile prison in Werribee South on Sunday. (Luis Ascui/Fairfax Media) Above: Werribee residents come from all directions to Station Street for a public meeting protesting the youth prison plan for Werribee on Monday. (Wayne Taylor/Fairfax Media)
consulting with the council or community before making its decision; two, that the location is an inappropriate one; and three, that the government find a more suitable location for the detention centre.
Lalor MP Joanne Ryan said there was no doubt a youth detention centre was needed, but admitted even she had been shocked and confused about the location chosen. Ms Ryan said she had asked the state
government to detail the site selection process and criteria behind its decision, and promised to share this with the community. ■ Continued
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