Report reveals how new Northern Correctional Facility would change Meander Valley forever
A 270-bed correctional facility to replace Ashley Youth Detention Centre would overwhelm local housing supply and childcare services but add $289m to the local economy by 2040, a new report has found.
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A 270-bed correctional facility to replace Ashley Youth Detention Centre would overwhelm local housing supply and childcare services but add $289m to the local economy by 2040, a new report has found.
The state government has released its draft Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report for the proposed $270m Northern Correctional Facility (NCF), which would replace Ashley at Deloraine.
It is expected to be operational by 2028–29.
The draft report found there would be opportunities and costs associated with the new prison, which would have 250–370 FTE staff when fully operational, including 25–30 FTEs redeployed from Launceston Reception Prison.
Most seriously, the report found that the expected influx of workers to operate the prison – between 90–133 new Meander Valley residents, who would comprise 38–56 households – would overwhelm local housing supply and childcare services.
“The project would be likely to increase demand on an already stressed housing market
exacerbating existing housing shortages and potentially driving up housing costs and may
indirectly increase demand for social housing,” the draft report found.
“The limited supply of houses available for sale or rent combined with high prices may be a barrier to staff recruitment,” although the report noted new staff may be able to commute from Launceston.
Regarding childcare, there is “no capacity to support the childcare needs of new residents attracted to relocate to the area to work at the NCF,” the report found.
Bizarrely, the report identified that upgrading Deloraine Ambulance Station was a high priority – despite the fact this had already occurred in 2020.
“Ambulance Tasmania has advised that the existing single branch ambulance station in Deloraine staffed by volunteers and one paramedic is not sufficient to support the NCF,” the report said, recommending it be turned into a double branch station with six FTEs, two ambulances and a paramedic rostered 24/7.
It was unclear why the newly released report referred to such outdated information.
Some of the most affected by the NCF would be near neighbours. There are an estimated 42 households within a 2km radius of the subject site, the report said.
“Consultation during the SIA identified a high level of stress and anxiety associated with the
project amongst near neighbours with the potential for this to affect their health and
wellbeing. Some are experiencing the loss of sleep and anxiety,” the report found.
The report recommended “responsive facility design” to allay resident concerns, the provision of mental health support services, and ongoing consultation between the Department of Justice, NCF management and the affected landholders.
On the other side of the ledger, the report found the NCF would add $289m in additional economic value to the economy of the Meander Valley by 2040 and would generate a wealth of employment opportunities for locals, both in the construction and the operation phase.
The NCF would compensate for the loss of 74.4 FTE jobs when Ashley closes, the report said.
Submissions on the draft SIA are open until February 29, 2024.
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