WHAT’S THE FUSS ABOUT?

SINCE Easter Monday I’ve been touring outback NSW and Queensland on and off for about three months in total. In this time I passed many correctional centres within proximity to the towns. I took the trouble to ask many towns people about them, there were no complaints from anyone, some didn’t even know they were there. One town was more concerned about a feed lot.

Apart from the big entrance signs I wouldn’t have known they were there. I lived and worked in the Westbury township for many years, I was the fourth generation to live in the same area, so I’m well familiar with everywhere that’s being discussed. Two weekends ago I drove around the town, it’s well separated from the first proposed site and the second one. I tried to imagine what all the fuss is about.

Some have mentioned the Ashley site. As I drove past that site, I thought the visual effects would be far greater. I think the first site is the best, closer to all the services. It might take 20 years for the town to grow from people moving to Westbury to work there.

Before people say now I’m retired and moved away it won’t affect me. If I still lived there these would still be my observations.

Peter McGee Swansea