Turnout to rally against proposed Westbury prison spurs on organisers

Northern prison rally organisers say the weekend’s protest sent a clear message to the Government.

Prison protest at Westbury. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

THE turnout to Saturday’s rally against the Government’s proposed location for a new northern prison at Westbury has spurred organisers on, they say.

Corrections minister Elise Archer announced an industrial site 2km from the village centre was the Government’s preferred location for the 275-bed jail at the end of September.

Hundreds arrived to protest the prison proposal on the weekend despite organisers’ fears the rally would be stifled by unfavourable weather conditions.

(L-R) Anne-Marie Loader and Heather Donaldson during the Prison protest at Westbury. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

“We were overwhelmed by the level of attendance and support shown by the community for this event,” organiser Heather Donaldson said.

“We saw people from all walks of life present in the crowd, and it just goes to show that opposition to this proposal is shared by people from all backgrounds.

“It’s lucky we had booked the larger hall, as it was filled to overflowing”

Ms Donaldson said a call for the State Government to disclose the other sites that had been considered to adopt the prison was one of the main messages of the day.

“We know the Minister has the discretion to publish the names of the other sites if she wants to.

“Currently, we are in no position at all to understand why a site with so much potential impact on Westbury residents was chosen above others”.

Prison protest at Westbury. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

After the rally, protesters signed petitions and some joined a formal association created to oppose the prison; Westbury Region Against the Prison (WRAP).

“We had a very strong uptake in membership after the meeting which gives us the confidence to move forward on behalf of the community with this,” Ms Donaldson said.

Ms Donaldson said Lyons minister Guy Barnett’s comments published in the Mercury (Oct. 22) gave the prison’s opponents hope.

“We are encouraged by Minister Barnett’s acknowledgment that the community’s concerns are legitimate.

“The numbers in attendance at the rally show that these concerns are also widespread.”

WRAP will hold its first committee meeting this week.

LOCALS RAISE CONCERNS OVER PROPOSED SITE FOR NEW NORTHERN PRISON AT WESTBURY