REVEALED: Is this the $557M answer to our economic woes?
THE new Grafton jail will inject $557million into the Clarence economy according to the draft EIS for the project which has just gone on display for 30 days.
The NSW Corrections Minister David Elliott has invited public input into the project through public submission.
The draft also outlines the immediate future of the current Grafton jail.
"The old Grafton jail is expected to continue operating under the baseline scenario," it states.
"As the facility cannot be easily refurbished or easily repurposed given its age, it is expected to remain operational for the project period. Whilst a potential re‐use of the existing facility may be considered at a later date, all re-use options for the site currently remain unexamined.
"Furthermore, given the long-term capacity constraints within the NSW Correctional system and inmate population forecasts, the long-term continued use of the site at its current capacity of 280 inmates is a reasonable assumption."
A series of community information sessions about the new Grafton jail to be built at Lavadia will be held in the region later this month and in early September.
A total of six sessions will be held at Grafton Shoppingworld, and Grafton Library from August 26.
The project team will be available to discuss any issues the public has with the jail.
The EIS for the jail was released this week and will be on display until September 12.
These sessions should provide help for people planning to make submissions in response to the EIS.
FRIDAY AUGUST 26:
Grafton Shopping World
52-74 Fitzroy Street, Grafton NSW 2460
12pm-3pm
Grafton Library
126-144 Pound Street, Grafton NSW 2460
4pm-7pm
SATURDAY AUGUST 27
Grafton Library
126-144 Pound Street, Grafton NSW 2460
9.30am-12pm
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2
Grafton Shopping World
52-74 Fitzroy Street, Grafton NSW 2460
12pm-3pm
Grafton Library
126-144 Pound Street, Grafton NSW 2460
4pm-7pm
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3
Grafton Library
126-144 Pound Street, Grafton NSW 2460
9.30am-12pm
The executive summary of the EIS concludes: "The EIS assesses potential environmental impacts associated with the proposal and demonstrates that the proposal is in the public interest.
"The project will support key government policies to deliver additional and improved correctional facilities for the State, and facilitate greater employment and social opportunities providing a boost to local and regional economies through the construction and operation phases of the project.
"Accordingly, the EIS concludes that the proposal warrants approval."
