Broome Custodial Facility site selection – a clarification

Published on 11 February 2022

The Shire of Broome is acutely aware that the ongoing Department of Justice site selection process for the new Broome Custodial Facility is causing angst in some sections of our community.

The latest information, as provided by Corrections Minister Bill Johnston, can be found here – https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/02/Preferred-site-identified-for-new-Broome-Regional-Prison.aspx

While we consider the decision to move away from the previous option of a site at 12 Mile as a good outcome, the Shire remains concerned that thorough consultation with the wider Broome community has not been undertaken.

A few points of clarification from the Shire’s perspective:

• The Shire is concerned that the community meeting held on February 8 was by invite only, with 12 Mile residents present but no invitation to residents who live close to the new preferred site or the wider Broome community.

• The Shire’s planning team were only contacted less than 48 hours before the community meeting to provide preliminary planning advice on the specific new preferred site.

• Initial investigations show that although not insurmountable, it is far from a given that the new preferred site can be rezoned or developed for a custodial facility given the required buffer zones in industrial estates.

Moving forward the Shire will look to provide as much information on this project to the community as available. However, ultimately it is the obligation of the Department of Justice to lead the consultation process with stakeholders and residents that may be impacted by the new preferred site location.