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 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.
“I think this site is the wrong site for a youth detention centre,” Ms Ryan said.
“We have worked too hard, for too long, working to undo a stigma we have lived with for a long time.
“It’s the wrong site because it sends the wrong message about that precinct – that precinct is our pocket of promise.
“It is going to be the new capital of the west,” she said.
As late as yesterday, it seemed unlikely the government would budge from its preferred location.
Wyndham council chief executive Kelly Grigsby and mayor Henry Barlow met with state youth affairs minister Jenny Mikakos last Friday to seek more information and clarification about the plan.
Ms Grigsby said both she and Cr Barlow conveyed the community’s strong opposition to the proposed location, which covers more than 30 hectares at lots 47, 48 and 49 Hoppers Lane.
The land falls within an urban growth zone.
“We raised specific concerns [about] the insufficient buffer to the intensive agricultural zone of Werribee South, as well as future residential communities and the Werribee tourism precinct,” Ms Grigsby said.
“We also highlighted that the project threatened the success of the East Werribee national employment and innovation precinct.
“The minister listened to these concerns, however she indicated that an exhaustive process had been undertaken in determining that Werribee South was the best site for the youth detention centre.”
The council yesterday demanded a review of the government’s decision and called for the public release of the business case and site selection criteria.
Last Friday, Star Weekly interviewed Werribee MP Tim Pallas, who said the council would need to come up with “compelling arguments” to persuade the government to build the centre elsewhere.
“The government’s been very clear, we have a preferred location … and that’s what we will be seeking to deliver, that preferred location.”
In a statement, Jenny Mikakos said the Werribee South site was the most suitable in terms of its size, accessibility for current staff, the projected needs of youth justice services, and in terms of getting it built quickly.
“We are listening to the concerns of … council and the … community to ensure that the final location incorporates community feedback.”
