CORRECTIONS minister David Elliott has extended the community consultation period on the controversial expansion of Cessnock jail following a backlash from residents and community leaders.
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Fairfax Media revealed on Sunday that a further 1000 prisoners, including at least 720 maximum security inmates, would be housed at the suburban jail if a proposed expansion went ahead as part of a $3.8 billion program to alleviate the looming bed crisis across the state.
But the announcement, which included an August 8 deadline for submissions on the massive expansion, attracted significant criticism from the local mayor, business chamber, charities and Cessnock Labor MP Clayton Barr.
The criticisms included the Department of Corrective Services failing to consult other government agencies and stakeholders amid fears that a rush of families wanting to be close to relatives in jail would impact on the city’s stretched social services and government agencies such as police, health and housing.
Despite the promise of 450 more permanent positions, there were also criticisms about infrastructure, including increased impacts on local roads.
“Should you be making assessments and decisions without talking to a any of the service providers who are are going to be lumped with the workload outside of the prison gates,’’ Mr Barr said on Thursday.
“Police, hospitals, schools, Department of Community Services - how do you make this assessment and leave all of these hanging in the dark.”
Mr Barr also criticised the short deadline, prompting Mr Elliott to announce on Thursday that the consultation period would be extended until August 22 “after considering feedback from council and community’’.
”We have listened to the community and that is why we have allocated more time for feedback. It is very important that the community has enough time to have their say on the design of this extension,’’ Mr Elliott said.
“[Corrective Services NSW] representatives this week met with a number of local stakeholders to hear their views on the extension and will continue to work with them to find a solution which strikes the right balance.’’
Mr Barr welcomed the extension but questioned how the residents would comment constructively.
“What are they commenting on, what is the detail - they have nothing to comment on. The local community simply hasn't had time to digest this, they need more time,’’ he said.
Public consultation will be open until 5pm on August 22 and feedback can be submitted to cessnockcorrectionalcentre@jbaurban.com.au or by calling 1800 743 436.