Westbury prison opponents seek guarantee new Major Projects legislation will not be used to speed up contentious development

Opponents of a $270 million prison proposed for the state’s North want assurance that contentious new fast-track legislation will not be used to speed up its development.

OPPONENTS of a new prison at Westbury have sought a guarantee that the proposed Major Projects Bill will not be used to fast-track the contentious project.

Public comment closes on Friday for the draft laws, which would replace Projects of Regional Significance rules, which have never been used.

The Westbury Region Against the Prison group has written to the State Government in an attempt to confirm the legislation would not be employed to speed up the development of the Northern Regional Prison if it passes into law.

The $270 million, 270-bed prison project has been divisive, with the Westbury community holding rallies and public demonstrations against the proposal.

Westbury residents Susan, Emma and Martin Hamilton. Rally on parliament lawns in relation to the proposed new prison at Westbury. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“WRAP is deeply concerned that the Major Projects legislation could be invoked at some future point if the standard planning process becomes more problematic or too drawn out for the State Government,’’ WRAP president Linda Poulton said.

Proposed new Northern Regional Prison site at Birralee Rd, Westbury.

“The standard rezoning application process has so far proven itself to be a prickly path for the Government to tread.

“It would be very tempting to fast track this project in the name of economic recovery, while the reality is that such a course would curtail public participation in the planning process, an extremely convenient outcome for the Government.”

Ms Poulton said WRAP had written to the Government to ask them to rule out the legislation being used for the Northern Regional Prison project at any point in the future.

She said countless hours had been spent by community members voicing concerns about the proposed site and facilitating engagement in the planning process.

Premier Peter Gutwein and Attorney-General Elise Archer met with Westbury residents ahead of a community consultation meeting around the Government's preferred northern prison site. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Corrections Minister Elise Archer said the prison project was proceeding under the usual planning process, but would not say if the Government would rule out using the proposed new legislation.

Ms Archer said a social and economic impact study was being prepared by the independent consultant engaged to do it.

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The report will be released publicly and will feature the results of surveys of Westbury residents about the project.

“The surveys, which will form part of the report, will provide valuable information about the community’s opinion, which will assist the Government in making a decision about the suitability of the preferred site for this important facility,’’ Ms Archer said.