Council set to rezone jail land

GEELONG council is set to pave the way for a 700-bed maximum security prison to be built in Lara.

Councillors will tomorrow night vote on a planning scheme amendment to rezone land next to the current Lara Prison Precinct to enable the construction of the new prison.

A report to council recommended councillors support the amendment, which will allow for the project to begin without a planning permit, as requested by the Department of Justice and Regulation.

“The Victorian Government is proposing to build a new maximum security prison next to the existing Lara prison Precinct on Bacchus Marsh Rd, Lara, as part of its commitment to improving community safety,” the report notes.

“A land zoning change is required to facilitate the project … Under the proposed zoning, a planning permit will not be required for the project.”

The proposed amendment would not be formally exhibited to the public, with the Department of Justice instead signalling it would undertake extensive community consultation.

“The Department of Justice is undertaking community consultation,” the report noted. “A Community Advisory Group to be established which will include local representation.”

The council report also confirms the compulsorily acquired land for the prison includes plots to the east of the existing facility, at 110-160 Peak School Rd and 5-75 Chisholm Rd.

The State Government revealed in July it had handed compulsory acquisition notices to a Lara landowner for two unoccupied plots of land to accommodate its $689.5 million prison expansion, with negotiations with the landowner appearing to have failed.

It is understood the landowner was offered compensation in line with the land’s market value, as assessed by an independent property valuer.

The State Government had launched negotiations with a “small number” of Lara property owners in March, but refused to provide detail on exact numbers or how much land would be needed.

The State Government an- nounced its planned prison expansion in January to meet the increasing demands of swelling prisoner numbers across Victoria.

The 2018-19 State Budget included $689.5 million for the project.