Werribee MP Tim Pallas has said he’s concerned at the public outrage over the Werribee South youth detention centre site – but will not back down on referring to the Hoppers Lane site as the preferred location.
Speaking on ABC radio this morning, the treasurer could not answer, yes or no, if the government would change the location of the proposed youth detention centre from its “preferred” location.
Despite repeated questioning, Mr Pallas said only “we’re not at that point yet”.
“I’m concerned to see that there’s the level of concern that’s being expressed from across our community,” he said.
“We’ve genuinely said that we’re prepared to look at alternative sites within the Wyndham area, and the reason we’ve said within the Wyndham area is quite frankly that, if you’ve run a business case and you’ve identified that location as the preferred one over 15 others, then I think the obligation falls with the state, the community and the council to see if we can find appropriate locations that work.
“We continue to hold the view that the location in Hoppers Lane is the state’s preferred one.”
It’s been a month since the state government announced its plans to build the proposed $288 million high security youth prison in Werribee South, and the business case has yet to be released.
Mr Pallas said he had met with community representatives and the council over the matter and would continue to do so.
“This is about hoping that my relationship with my electorate is a bit broader than simply the location of the juvenile detention centre.
“We have an obligation to get moving on this as quickly as possible in order to ensure that young people are adequately accommodated.”
