Community members have their say on controversial Westbury prison development

Opponents and supporters of the North Tasmania development have their say at a public meeting, with further details provided on the project.

HUNDREDS of local residents attended a public meeting on Wednesday about the controversial Westbury prison development.

While providing an update of on the project, Northern Regional Prison project director Colin Shepherd said in the next week they were looking to call for tenders for an architecture to provide the artistic renditions of the development to be submitted with their applications to the Meander Valley Council.

Mr Shepherd said due diligence operations were continuing to be undertaken, with Aboriginal heritage, bushfire and agricultural assessments among those currently being completed.

He confirmed the project had been referred to the federal environment Minister under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act for approval.

When asked who would be undertaking the additional social and economic assessment there was an angry response from the crowd when he confirmed SCS, who completed the previous social economic assessment, would be providing an updated assessment.

“We would contend we are using independent experts, other people may disagree with that, but we will put forward those reports,” he said.

The proposed site for the prison is at Brushy Rivulet on Birralee Road about 5.3km from the Westbury township.

Mr Shepherd said the rezoning and planning permit application was expected to be lodged in the first quarter of next year.

He said it was going to be a staged construction approach for the prison as previously indicated.

Those opposed to development raised concerns at the meeting about endangered species on the site including masked owl, dangers of increased traffic and lack of supporting infrastructure.

Three speakers spoke in favour of the prison, one saying it would provide much needed employment for the younger generations in the town.

Meander Valley mayor Wayne Johnston speaks about the Government's decision to choose a new site to build a Northern Regional Prison. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Meander Valley Mayor Wayne Johnston said the council had made a commitment to consulting with both those supporting and opposing the development and would continue to do so.

When asked during question time why a poll wasn’t undertaken of Westbury residents about if they wanted the prison in the area, Cr Johnston said it was “probably a failure of council.”

A total of 86 submissions were received ahead of the public meeting, 84 opposed and two favour and will be tabled at the next council meeting.

The public meeting at the Deloraine Community Complex was brought about after a petition was lodged with council earlier in the year.

An impromptu vote during question time led by local John Hawkins saw the majority in the room raise their hand against the proposal.

Attendees were told questions that could not be answered on the night would receive a response within 30 days.

A motion at the end of the meeting raised by opponent Linda Poulton which called for the council to revoke all support for the project and conduct their own independent study of social-economic impacts was carried.

Originally published as Community members have their say on controversial Westbury prison development