Westbury community puts case to Corrections Minister Elise Archer over prison plan

In a series of 10-minute meetings, individuals and groups met the Corrections Minister at Westbury as community angst grows about the proposed new prison on the outskirts of the town.

A protest in October against the proposed prison at Westbury. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

WESTBURY residents have directly put their case to the Corrections Minister about why they believe a new prison should not be built on the outskirts of the town.

In a series of 10-minute meetings yesterday afternoon, individuals and groups met Elise Archer in the town as community angst grows about the proposal.

Elise Archer. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

One of them was Phil Giles, who said he and wife Leasa got a fair hearing and described Ms Archer as polite.

Mr Giles and his wife moved to Westbury from Newcastle in March, bought a house and had plans to retire and live the remainder of their lives in the town.

But Mr Giles said if the prison was to go ahead, they would leave.

“There is no way we would stay,’’ he said.

Factoring in the renovations they have done, Mr Giles said the move would cost them more than $100,000.

“If we had known in March that this is a proposed site, we wouldn’t have bought here,’’ he said.

TASWEEKEND: PRISON PROPOSAL SPLITS TOWN’S RESIDENTS

Ms Archer said the consultation was an opportunity for her to hear directly from the community about their concerns.

“I’m committed to engaging with this community,’’ she said.

HUNDREDS TURN OUT TO VOICE OPPOSITION TO JAIL

She stressed the Westbury location was a preferred site only and a final decision was yet to be made, but would not say when that decision would likely be made.