Old Grafton jail: Clarence Valley Council talks about plans for iconic former correctional facility

The future of the former Grafton jail is once again a point of debate. Here’s the latest on plans for the iconic old Clarence correctional facility.

NSW Corrective Services Minister Kevin Corcoran, left, with Grafton jail Governor Michelle Paynter and Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis outside the old Grafton jail to announce it will close in 2020.

A section of the old Grafton jail could one day be unlocked.

Clarence Valley Council has questioned the practicalities surrounding purchasing a portion of the historical site.

First built in 1893, the old Grafton jail is a landmark and a defining feature of the northern NSW town for more than a century, serving as a source of employment, a cultural touchstone and tourist attraction.

It closed its gates in 2020 and was largely replaced by the $800 million Clarence Correctional Centre, currently run by the private company Serco, at Lavadia, south east of Grafton.

Around this time, the council also knocked back an offer to purchase the entire site because it did not have the means to run the historic asset.

Grafton locals picketing the entrance to the jail over plans to close it down.

Since then, the jail has been split into four different sections — one quarter is run by the health department and a further two portions of the 4.4 hectare site was transferred to the Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Land Council.

But now, the council is again testing the waters to see if there is a possibility of purchasing the heritage precinct of the jail when it is put to the open market by the state government.

Aerial view of the new Clarence Correctional Centre at Grafton.

At the council’s most recent meeting, Councillor Debrah Novak put forward a motion which would see council write to the state and explore the possibility of purchasing the jail’s fourth section.

“(The) purpose of this motion is to find out if we can do anything at this late hour,” she said.

“(It’s about) getting some information about where we are up to and where the state government is up to on the matter of the old Grafton jail.”

Councillor Ian Tiley said he thought “the intentions were highly commendable”, but stated the remaining quarter is going to put up for sale this December.

“(I) fear the horse has well and truly bolted,” he said.

Councillor Karen Toms said she “would love nothing more than to buy the old jail”.

However, she raised concerns about the feasibility of the idea, particularly as it is a heritage-listed site which needs restoration.

“It’s a bit of a pie in the sky thing,” she said.

“It’s a bit like I want for Christmas a Ferrari but I can only afford a Morris Minor.”

(L-R) Councillors Karen Toms, Ian Tiley and Debrah Novak were part of the debate on Tuesday.

Speaking after the meeting Mayor Peter Johnstone said the proposal and debate “came from left field”.

He said there was no harm in seeking further information, but stressed the importance of council “being governed by a good business head and not emotion”.

The council voted unanimously to write to the NSW government about buying and to seek information about financial support for its maintenance.

Councillors also voted to receive further information regarding the heritage-listed site’s restoration status.