Corrective Services Minister Margaret Quirk has called for community comment on a $10million proposal to expand the State Government’s successful work camps program in Wyndham.
Ms Quirk said the Department of Corrective Services had identified a proposed site for Western Australia’s first purpose-built work camp, about 12km from Wyndham on the Great Northern Highway.
The Minister said part of Wyndham Town Lot 1349, where the Wyndham Golf Course was located, was the preferred option to replace the existing run-down Wyndham Work Camp located near the airport.
She noted this option was dependent on community comment received over the next three weeks, and also on final geological, environmental and financial considerations.
“The new camp will double the number of minimum-security East Kimberley prisoners accommodated close to their families and country,” Ms Quirk said.
“Work camps bring enduring benefits to regional communities by contributing to local economies and providing labour for projects that may not otherwise be feasible.
“The new Wyndham work camp will provide offenders with valuable life and job-related skills, enabling them not only to repay their debt to society but also to become much better equipped to find and keep a job and live law-abiding lives on their release.
“It will provide better facilities that will enable improved education, treatment programs and training to be delivered, reducing the likelihood of re-offending. This has a major, positive impact on community safety.
“Factors such as the environment, geology, hydrology and service infrastructure were considered in the site selection process.
“Community support for keeping the work camp in Wyndham was also a contributing factor.”
Wyndham Town Lot 1349 is about 170ha in size. The proposal is to excise about 50ha of the site for the work camp, allowing the rest to continue its use as a golf course.
“Offenders already carry out a lot of work on the golf course and so placing the new work camp close by makes sense on a number of levels,” the Minister said.
She urged local residents to take advantage of the three-week consultation period starting Monday, July 14.
A community meeting will be held at the Peter Reid Memorial Hall in Wyndham at 3pm Friday July 25.
More information and a feedback form is also available on the Department of Corrective Services website at: http://www.correctiveservices.wa.gov.au/K/kimberley_work_camp.aspx?uid=2043-1904-6679-6144
Comments can also be registered by email rcsp@correctiveservices.wa.gov.au or by phoning 9191 2066.
Minister's office - 9213 7000 
