Contenders line up to be home to new $270 million northern prison

Northern councils are lobbying the State Government for their area to be home to a new $270 million prison.

Risdon Prison, on Hobart’s Eastern Shore. A shortlist of 10 sites have been chosen as potential places for a new northern prison. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

A SHORTLIST of possible sites for the construction of a prison in the state’s North will be given to the State Government in the next few weeks.

The Government announced last year it would build a $270 million correctional facility in the North to cater for 270 prisoners and take pressure of Hobart’s Risdon Prison.

Ten unrevealed sites are now being considered.

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Some northern councils — such as Meander Valley, which is already home to the Ashley Detention Centre, and the Central Coast Council, which says it has the perfect site — have been lobbying the Government due to the jobs the new prison will create.

There was speculation this week that the former Wesley Vale pulp mill site could be a prime contender to house the new prison but it has since been sold to a private developer.

Corrections Minister Elise Archer. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Minister for Corrections Elise Archer said on Thursday 10 sites were submitted through an expressions of interest process and were under consideration.

“I am pleased with the number of submissions and am looking forward to advancing this substantial election commitment that will drive jobs, investment and improve access to family and support for inmates who live in the North of the state,” Ms Archer said.

“A siting panel is now considering submissions received to compile a shortlist of suitable sites. It will provide its findings to the Government in March.”

Almost half of the inmates in Risdon prison are from the North or North-West.

The new prison will be constructed in two stages. The first stage will provide 140 beds and is due to open in late 2022.

The EOI process closed in November with councils, utility companies, the community and property sector groups invited to take part.

The Department of Justice also canvassed crown land options and worked with state and federal government agencies to identify suitable sites that are surplus to core government requirements.