Werribee South not in preliminary business case: Pallas

The Hoppers Lane site earmarked for a $288 million maximum security youth prison was not on the list of locations considered in the original business case for the facility, it has been revealed.

The revelation came in parliament this morning when treasurer and Werribee MP Tim Pallas was questioned about his prior knowledge of the youth detention centre location.

During question time yesterday, Mr Pallas said the first he knew of the Werribee South plan was in late January – despite the business case being presented in October last year, with input from the treasury.

In response, Mr Pallas denied that he had any input into the development and oversight of the “preliminary” business case.

He then said that the Werribee South site was not on the list of 16 sites considered in the preliminary business case.

“The so-called preliminary business case… it did not include the site proposed in Werribee, it did not include that site.”

More to come.