It’s official: the state government will build a $288 million high security youth detention centre along Hoppers Lane, just two kilometres away from a select-entry high school.
Premier Daniel Andrews, Werribee MP Tim Pallas and youth affairs minister Jenny Mikakos unveiled plans for the 224-bed facility this morning, which will hold both remanded and sentenced youth offenders and include a 12-bed mental health unit and an “intensive supervision unit” with at least eight beds.
Construction will start early next year and is expected to be finished by the end of 2020.
A statement released by the state government also stated that there was “scope for future expansion” of the 31-hectare government-owned site.
The youth detention centre will be located about two kilometres down the road from Suzanne Cory High School, one of the state’s four selective entry high schools, and the Victoria University Athletics Track, which hosts the Werribee Little Athletics Club.
Premier Daniel Andrews said Werribee South was chosen due to its proximity to health and education services, and the “significant buffer” between the detention centre and residential areas, adding the the facility would be fitted out with a six-metre high reinforced concrete wall.
All entries will be protected by mechanical and electrical anti-vehicle ramming systems.
Mr Andrews said the government had decided against retrofitting the existing Parkville site because works would take seven years to complete.
Wyndham mayor Henry Barlow said the announcement was “disappointing to say the least”.
“It appears an arbitrary decision has been made without any consultation with our community and equally disturbing that we could see a correctional facility built in an area that was earmarked in the state’s own Precinct Structure Plan to be a hub for research and hi-tech industry that would deliver approximately 2500 ongoing jobs,” Mr Barlow said.
“Tomorrow night my fellow councillors and I will formally consider this matter based on a report that outlines the potential impacts of a facility of this type.
“The report highlights the inappropriateness of the location, particularly given its visibility from the freeway and proximity to the green wedge and future residential development.
“Our community will fight this and we will be there to support them in having their say.”
More to come.
