INLAND RAIL PRISON BREAK FEARS

Residents slam work camp approval

RESIDENTS who will soon live near a prison work camp in Charlton yes terday slammed the Toowoomba Regional Council for not listening to them about the site’s potential security issues.

Chief among landholders’ concerns were the Nass Rd facility’s proximity to a clay target club, and fears run-away prisoners could use the upcoming Inland Rail to escape the region.

Councillors yesterday voted 9-2 in favour of developing the camp, first flagged back in 2016.

Planning officer Lachlan O’Sullivan told councillors at the special meeting the work camp would only house a dozen low-risk prisoners close to the end of their sentences.

“The subject site is situated on the southern end of the Intermodal Precinct as identified in the Charlton Wellcamp Enterprise Area Local Plan,” he said.

“It should also be noted that the proposed detention facility is sleeved in behind future council facilities situated within the subject site and fronting Nass Rd.

“I note the proposed development is for low-risk prisoners who are preparing for reintegration with the community.”

Speaking for the opposing residents, Bron Loughlin said councillors were not listening to what she said were clear safety concerns for neighbouring properties and businesses.

“We’re just gutted. We’re really disappointed – we feel the council hasn’t listened to our concerns at all,” she said after the meeting.

“They’ve basically passed off every concern we had as meaningless.”

Other submissions noted the proposal’s inconsistency to the planning scheme, the work camp’s effect on land valuations and the perceived lack of consultation from the TRC.

Ms Loughlin acknowledged the Inland Rail as an escape method was among the concerns, after it appeared in Mr O’Sullivan’s original report.

Cr Anne Glasheen was not worried about the Inland Rail or the neighbouring Toowoomba Second Range Crossing being used by escaping crims, saying that every precaution would be taken.

“You do have those concerns – really, nobody wants to live beside a jail, but this is a low-risk work camp of 12 people,” she said.

“The Inland Rail provides a large buffer to the back of our development – it’s an industrial area.

This work camp will have the council depot in front of it and the big corridor for the TSRC behind it.

“I don’t believe (there is a risk) – the Second Range Crossing (and Inland Rail) will be very secure to any person trying to access it (on foot).”

Only Deputy Mayor Carol Taylor and Cr James O’Shea voted against the proposal.