Wyndham residents have launched a high-visibility campaign in opposition to the proposed $288 million Werribee South high-security youth prison.
And the date for a second community rally and protest – this time to be held on the steps of Parliament – is expected this week, once the Speak Out–Wyndham’s Voice group secures the necessary rally permits.
Keen to keep the Not in Werribee South campaign in full view, Werribee South farmers erected a large sign last Thursday declaring: Youth Detention Centre – wrong location, no consultation on land next to the proposed youth jail site fronting the Princes Freeway.
Meanwhile, Speak Out–Wyndham’s Voice members took advantage of the Avalon Airshow traffic along the Princes Freeway at the weekend to air their grievances about the state government’s detention centre plan.
About 20 protesters held banners and signs over the Farm Road Bridge at Werribee during the Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon peak, in full view of the thousands of motorists passing under the bridge on their way to the international military airshow.
Speak Out president Lisa Heinrichs said the protesters had been heartened by the “brilliant response” from motorists, with many honking horns, sticking their thumbs out and flashing their lights.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy vowed the Liberals would vote against a planning scheme amendment for the site, if it comes before Parliament.
But the opposition doesn’t have the numbers to block the amendment in the upper house, holding only 16 of the 40 seats.
Mr Guy and western metropolitan MP Bernie Finn met with a small group of locals in Werribee last week, including resident spokesman Dr Joe Garra, farmer Ricky Mazaris, and Wyndham councillor Heather Marcus, reiterating their opposition to the site.
Mr Finn also conducted a second robo phone poll across Wyndham last Wednesday night, asking respondents their views on the Werribee South location, their perception of crime in the community and whether or not they’d vote Labor if the youth prison is built at Werribee South. The opposition has yet to release the findings of Mr Finn’s poll.
Speaking on ABC radio on Monday, local MP and state treasurer Tim Pallas reiterated the Hoppers Lane site is the preferred location.
When asked about upcoming consultation, youth affairs minister Jenny Mikakos said a recent meeting with Wyndham council and residents was “the first of many discussions that the government will have with community representatives over the coming weeks”.
