By Charlene Macaulay
Wyndham council has voiced its opposition to reports the state government will be building a $250 million youth detention centre in Werribee South.
An “urgent report” prepared at the request of councillors will be tabled at Tuesday’s ordinary council meeting, and recommends that the state government make no decision on a location for the detention centre without “extensive community consultation and detailed social, economic and environmental impact assessments”.
“In light of the strong economic growth and positive development occurring within the city, council appreciates that the community is deeply concerned about the impact such a facility would have on the image and amenity of the city,” the report reads.
“Equally concerning to the community is the social impact of a maximum security detention centre being built in the vicinity of a residential area, employment, tourism precinct and green wedge – all of state significance.
“Given council’s role as the responsible planning authority for the city – it is concerning that a facility of this magnitude could be considered without appearing in any state government strategic plans such as Plan Melbourne or without formal consultation with council.”
The report also notes that other correctional facilities, such as the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Port Phillip Prison, are surrounded by industrial areas and are well separated from existing and developing residential neighbourhoods, employment precincts and tourism uses.
In a statement released this afternoon, Wyndham council chief executive Kelly Grigsby said she understood the community’s concern regarding the reported location of the detention centre, adding that the council could not “sit and wait for our future to be determined”.
The response follows the establishment of the “Speak Out – Wyndham’s Voice” group, which will host a community meeting at 7.30pm on February 13 to voice their concerns, and allow MPs to speak with locals.
A location for the meeting has yet to be determined.
About 80 people crammed into a small meeting room at the Western Region Environment Centre last night in a bid to plan the community’s response to the reports.
Former councillor Glenn Goodfellow said residents want to have their say in how their community is developed.
“Where is the transparency and where is the communication?
“This is too secretive – the community should be involved, and the local council should be involved.”
The state government and Werribee MP Tim Pallas’s office will not confirm or deny the location for the youth detention centre, saying only: “The government has made no secret about its plan to build a new, fit-for-purpose youth justice facility to keep young offenders secure and the community safe.”
