The Meander Valley Council says the state government’s decision to cancel plans for a new Northern Correctional Facility has ended a source of uncertainty plaguing the local community for five years.
However, the council is now calling for a clear plan for the future of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre site in Deloraine, which is set to close in the coming years.
Mayor Wayne Johnston said the community needs clarity on the future of the Ashley site now that the 270-bed prison project is off the table.
“There’s growing anxiety among our local residents about the availability of jobs and services in the area,” he said.
“While we understand priorities change, the Meander Valley community deserves to know how the state government plans to reduce the economic impacts caused by this decision.”
Johnston said the council would like to see “concrete plans” that will bring investment, jobs and growth to the region.
He said the state government had been radio silent on the future of the project, promised to be a major economic driver for the region, since early 2024.
“Communication with the government has been severely lacking. We’ve had limited correspondence from the Department of Justice or anyone within the government for months, on this issue and others,” Johnston said.
“State government modelling had shown the Northern Correctional Facility could have created up to 273 full-time jobs in Meander Valley by 2040 and increased our region’s gross regional product by $289 million.
“This would have been the largest investment project in our municipality to date.”
“While some of our residents may be relieved the project has been dropped, we now need to know what the state government’s plan is for the site and how they intend to support local job creation and economic development in our region.”
