A new justice precinct in Wyndham could soon be a reality with the state government allocating three hectares of land for the project.
Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA) chief executive Peter Seamer confirmed that land directly behind Werribee police station had been set aside for a justice precinct.
“About three hectares, including the current Werribee police station site, has been reserved for a potential justice and civic precinct,” Mr Seamer said.
“At this stage, planning is progressing on the basis that the Werribee police station will remain at the site … there is potential for works to deliver an improved facility.
“Early discussions have identified the potential to deliver new law courts and possible accommodation for legal aid and legal practitioners, health and human service providers, community services and other government services. The MPA is undertaking detailed planning for the site.”
The precinct is part of a 400-hectare parcel of East Werribee over which the MPA called for expressions of interest from developers in June.
Committee for Wyndham executive director Chris Potaris has been named chairman of the Wyndham Integrated Justice Precinct Advisory Group, which will advise the state government on issues surrounding the justice precinct.
Mr Potaris has been behind a campaign to get the state government and opposition to commit to the project which, he said, was overdue in Wyndham.
He said the Werribee Magistrates Court was built in 1980 to service a population of “no more than 40,000 residents”.
“The court is an old brick building with only two courtrooms, a handful of staff and no wheelchair access,” he said. “On a busy day when the court is full, it’s common to see people sitting on the brick floors of the building or waiting outside in the open.
“The Werribee and Wyndham North stations are overcrowded and unable to accommodate existing police numbers or protective service officers.
“[The] Wyndham Integrated Justice Precinct Advisory Group agrees that the current and proposed land set aside by the MPA, as defined within the East Werribee Employment Precinct site, is a very logical and suitable location for the next integrated justice precinct in our region.”
