Media release – BirdLife Tasmania, 25 August 2020
Proposed Westbury Prison site home to multiple Endangered species
The release today of a confidential Departmental assessment of the natural values for the proposed Westbury Prison site has shown that a number of Endangered species are present on the site, and that the area meets IUCN criteria for habitat conservation.
The 2016 DPIPWE report highlighted the presence of a Wedge-tailed Eagle nest on the property boundary, and observations of Masked Owl and Tasmanian Devil; all three species are listed as Endangered under Tasmanian legislation.
The report recommended the permanent protection of the site, based on IUCN criteria for the conservation of important habitat for threatened species.
“Clearly, this area is utterly unsuitable for the proposed Westbury Prison” Dr Eric Woehler, Convenor of BirdLife Tasmania said today on seeing the report.
“The loss of critical habitat for three Endangered species can not be considered for the construction of a prison” he added.
“Prisons and their surrounds must be particularly well lit at night, and this extensive illumination will have a devastating impact on all the nocturnal birds and mammals in the area. The illumination will be extensive and will alienate the illuminated woodland, preventing birds and mammals from feeding, breeding and resting in the area.”
“So the loss of habitat is far greater than the area to be cleared for the prison and fire break etc, with the illumination surrounding the prison creating a massive environmental footprint” Dr Woehler added.
“It is clear that other sites that are less environmentally sensitive must be considered as the proposed site can not be destroyed in light of the values present” Dr Woehler said.
“Prisons can be built anywhere. Habitat for three Endangered species is a precious resource that we need to protect with the highest priority” Dr Woehler concluded.
Feature image of Tasmanian masked owl by JJ Harrison via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Justice spokesperson, 26 August 2020
Liberals’ Westbury Spin Comes Undone
Today in Parliament, the Government confirmed its decision to pursue the second site for the northern prison was made in a rush, and revealed they have no idea how they actually want to use the proposed site.
The Liberals’ panicked, politically-driven decision to move the northern prison site has resulted in it selecting an ill-advised, inappropriate, costly location, that’s fraught with significant unresolvable issues
A northern prison would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, yet the decision for the site has been mired in secrecy, and came after no consultation with Westbury residents.
It’s clear the Government hasn’t done proper due diligence on the Birralee Road site. It seems the only real work they’ve done so far is to draw up ministerial talking points designed to mislead the community.
Right to Information documents released show the 2016 DPIPWE assessment of the reserve acknowledges it meets the IUCN criteria for conservation. It identified endangered masked owl and Tasmanian devils on the site, and a wedge-tail eagle nest close by. DPIPWE recommended the site have permanent protection.
In 2018, DPIPWE reaffirmed with the Federal Government the site is part of the National Reserve System, that it had been purchased to become a protected area, and gazettal was in progress.
It is inexplicable that Corrections Minister, Elise Archer, continues to deny the new prison site is a reserve with values that should be protected. This has been verified by governments on multiple occasions across more than a decade.
The northern prison site has no public support, compromises natural values, and will be a massive drain on the public purse. The Liberals should swallow their pride and abandon this highly problematic proposal.
Media release – Elise Archer, Attorney-General and Minister for Corrections, 26 August 2020
Northern Regional Prison site
The Tasmanian Government understands the importance of protecting and managing the environment, while progressing infrastructure developments.
The Northern Regional Prison is no exception and we will be fully cognisant of the local environment during this process.
It is important to note that information released under the recent RTI includes information on natural values that is now out of date. The vegetation community present on the site was reclassified approximately five years ago when it was determined to be of a different, non-threatened type.
The site does not contain the values for which it was originally purchased, and indeed for more than a decade, consideration has been given to allowing the land to be sold. It does not contain pristine forest, but shows evidence of a very long history of timber harvesting and more recently illegal firewood collection, stock grazing, rubbish dumping and shooting.
The Tasmanian Land Conservancy was notified of the decision not to proceed with the transfer of the informal reserve prior to the announcement of the site as the new site for the Northern Regional Prison. This land is not a reserve.
It is important to note that the prison is likely to only require a footprint of approximately 15 hectares of the 70 hectare site, providing opportunities to manage any environmental features on the site.
We remain committed to delivering on our election commitment to build a Northern Regional Prison in an effective and timely manner to address the challenges facing the State’s correctional system left by Labor.
This project will support more than 1000 jobs and deliver an economic boost of $500 million to the region at a time when Tasmanians need it most.
mjf
August 26, 2020 at 16:00
Game, set and match for this site.
A responsible government cannot knowingly preside over permanent significant habitat loss for the WTE and Masked Owl. The overall impact on the Tasmanian Devil is less certain, and it’s debatable unless confirmed dens are identified within the clearing footprint.
The Minister for Justice should go to Forico and discuss the possibility of purchasing a chunk of New Forests’ plantation over the road as there’s no remnant NF to deal with. And this should be done quickly before any more money is wasted on this shambolic exercise, one which is starting to resemble Lara Giddings’ new Royal Hobart Hospital site investigation debacle.
August 31, 2020 at 15:40
This new site is just as much ‘bordering on insanity’ as the previous site.
With this new site there’s no infrastructure such as electricity, sewerage, water supply etc. There has been no ‘Expression of Interest’ which was previously an absolute necessity which is why a site offered on Prosser’s Forest Road couldn’t be considered.
The site was cheaper per hectare, and was flat, poor farming land that was closer to hospitals, law courts, population for ease of visitations, power and water services, tertiary training centres and a police presence – all services that both sites have lacked.
Will there be a third nonsense site in Westbury?
September 2, 2020 at 16:49
I think it would be a tall order for Forico to sell its plantations to the government, given that it sold them for carbon credits to the Federal Government just a few years ago.
But it would be an insanely stupid move by Forico too, when it’s so keen to hold onto its wider ‘social licence’ for timber harvesting.
Why would Forico tacitly back a project with absolutely no social licence in that area at all? It would have to get an enormous kickback from the government to make it a good deal …
Chief Editor TT
August 26, 2020 at 16:31
TT made the point back in June that the SEIS had studied the non-preferred site only.
The government announced a site it had not studied at all. https://tasmaniantimes.com/2020/06/northern-prison-questions-remain/
John Hawkins
August 26, 2020 at 17:09
We are governed by the third rate, those elected on the back of gambling money that bought them power in order to protect a poker machine license.
The Liberals’ inability to consult with we mere mortals is beyond pathetic.
Give them power over Projects of State Significance – and they will do even more damage.
If you had given that power to Lennon, John Gay and the mates would have had the pulp mill up and running by now.
Put the prison at Longreach on the former Gunns’ site and nobody will complain.
If it was good enough for a pulp mill then it is good enough for a prison.
mjf
August 28, 2020 at 12:15
Dr Woehler states that “Prisons can be built anywhere”. Really ? I do not think he will endear himself to the WRAP conscripts with this sort of messaging.
And of course there’s always the question of whether the WTE nest is even still present. They do collapse, and/or become abandoned. Has anyone bothered to do a formal check recently?