Hundreds rally against proposal for prison in ‘beautiful’ village

Residents in Westbury are furious at the State Government’s proposal to establish a 275-bed, maximum security prison near the northern town.

Meander Valley Councillor Frank Nott speaks during the Prison protest at Westbury. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

DEFIANT residents of Westbury have taken to the streets this afternoon in a display of collective fury at plans to build a jail near their town in Tasmania’s North.

Hundreds of people holding placards that read ‘No Prison’ converged on the village green, and the town hall, for a rally to protest against the State Government’s plans for a 275-bed, $350 million Northern Regional Prison.

Resident and local store owner Eve Robson said people were “just devastated” by the Government’s proposal.

“This is just such a beautiful, beautiful village, why would you want to put a prison so close to it?,” Mrs Robson told the Mercury.

The new Northern Regional Prison was part of a $350 million Tasmanian Liberals election commitment to fix and help ease pressure on the state’s ageing prison infrastructure.

Minister for Corrections Elise Archer said further consultation would take place with residents.

“The people of Westbury can be assured that we are listening and responding, and we believe the project will be positive for the broader region as well and we will be working closely with them to ensure a good outcome for the entire community,” Ms Archer said.