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New Site For Youth Justice Facility

14 March 2017

Following close consultation with Wyndham City Council and community representatives, an alternative location for a youth justice facility to be built in Wyndham has been identified.

The new site is located to the west of Werribee in the vicinity of Cherry Creek in Wyndham, with the facility creating up to 450 ongoing jobs for the local community.

The new site meets the stringent criteria set out in the business case, including the size and shape of the land, its proximity to the CBD including court facilities, its accessibility for staff and families, its distance from residential areas and the ability to acquire the land from Melbourne Water promptly and get started on construction.

Last month, the Government committed to examining alternative sites with Council for the new facility within Wyndham, as long as they met the strict selection criteria.

Community representatives acknowledged the need for a new youth justice facility in Wyndham but had concerns about the location of the Hoppers Lane South site and its proximity to the Werribee tourism precinct.

The project will still be delivered within the existing timelines and budget.

Over the coming days the Government will be advertising for nominations from local community representatives wanting to be part of the facility’s Community Advisory Group.

Community engagement sessions will be held before Easter to provide the Wyndham community with the opportunity to hear more about the project and the new site for the facility.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos

“The Government said that we would listen to the people of Wyndham to examine an alternative site that meets our strict selection criteria – and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

“This new youth justice facility is a vital investment for our state to ensure the safety of the wider community, youth justice staff and young people in contact with the justice system.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“We have worked closely with Wyndham Council to identify an alternative site that meets the needs of the community and also the detailed criteria for the site outlined in the business case."

“I would like to thank Council and community representatives for working closely with us in achieving a great result for Wyndham and its community, one that will be a significant boost to jobs and the local economy."

Quote attributable to Wyndham City Council Mayor Henry Barlow

”We are pleased with this result – with the government listening to and working closely with us, we now have a much better location that respects the concerns of the Wyndham community, whilst acknowledging the economic benefit of the construction and ongoing jobs associated with the facility.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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