July 25, 2016
Does anyone want to add almost $400,000 in benefits to their community every year … plus the possibility of a few local jobs?
Toowoomba Regional Council is looking for a town willing to house a proposed Department of Corrective Services Work Camp after Jondaryan residents knocked back the opportunity.
The TRC has been seeking to establish a new work camp since the closure of the Darling Downs Correctional Centre in 2012 and recently lodged a development application to establish a site at the Jondaryan Woolshed.
But after opposition from local residents, Council announced on Monday they would be withdrawing this application.
Mayor Paul Antonio said the local Jondaryan community had raised concerns about the location of the camp during the public consultation phase so Council had decided to withdraw the application and seek an alternative site.
“We have listened to the local community and there was no appetite for this type of facility in the area. Council has decided it was best to seek another location rather than divide one of our communities,” Cr Antonio said.
“This is not the end of the road for this development.
“A Council analysis of work previously undertaken by prisoners at the Darling Downs Correction Facility estimated the financial value to the community was approximately $360,000 per annum.
“We need to find a site where local residents are happy to have the camp as a neighbour.
“I believe this can be achieved with the right blend of consultation and education of what the camp is about.
“This type of facility will provide a lot of benefits for community and not-for-profit organisations across the region.
“We now need to find the right location.”
Mayor Antonio said only offenders classified as low risk are involved in work camps.
“Camps are operated successfully right across Queensland to provide a source of labour to undertake projects or community work that would otherwise not be completed in local communities,” he said.
“This is a valuable resource and Council will immediately start looking for another location.”
