BROOME REGIONAL PRISON — RELOCATION
686. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the minister representing the
Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the proposal to build a regional
prison adjacent to the 12 Mile community, located outside Broome.
(1) Following the
meeting held at 12 Mile on 20 July, can the minister please confirm whether
there has been further contact or consultation with affected residents?
(2) If yes to
(1), can the minister please confirm the dates on which the following modes of
consultation or contact occurred —
(a) written correspondence; and
(b) in person meetings?
(3) If no to (1),
can the minister confirm that a significant and meaningful community
consultation process that includes 12 Mile residents will occur?
(4) When does the minister expect to make a final
decision regarding the relocation of Broome Regional Prison?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I
thank the member for the question. The following information has been provided
by the Minister for Corrective Services.
(1)–(4) The
government is committed to the replacement of the existing Broome Regional
Prison with a modem facility that can provide cultural support and
rehabilitation facilities. The need for a new prison in Broome is obvious; the
existing prison in the centre of town is no longer fit for purpose and needs to
be replaced.
In progressing the work to replace
Broome Regional Prison, the Minister for Corrective Services has the interests
of the local community in mind, as demonstrated by his attendance in person at
the meeting held with residents of 12 Mile on 20 July 2021. The minister agreed
to investigate alternative sites suggested at
this meeting, including by the Shire of Broome, advise 12 Mile residents of the
outcome and meet again with the community, even if only a videoconference
is possible.
On
21 July, the department again met with the shire to discuss alternative sites.
The department wrote to the shire on 28 July, and correspondence has been
ongoing. Additionally, the minister met with the president and deputy president
of the shire on 5 August. The department wrote to 12 Mile residents on 13 August
to outline actions taken since 20 July, and to reiterate the minister's
commitments. The minister will write to all 12 Mile residents to update the
community on the project, including the evaluation of external sites, and will
meet again with residents, perhaps by Zoom.