CESSNOCK City Council is pushing forward with its calls to have access to the Cessnock Correctional Centre removed from the local road network.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The complex’s inmate population increased by 50 percent after the opening of a new 400-bed jail there on January 30, 2018.
The expansion plans were met with criticism from nearby residents, who were concerned about the impact the extra traffic would have on their neighbourhood – particularly Lindsay Street.
Following public pressure, Corrective Services NSW announced in November 2016 that it had committed to a new entry for the jail, but work is yet to start.
At the most recent Cessnock Correctional Centre Community Consultative Committee meeting members agreed the current access road was not acceptable and the preferred location for access would be via a direct route from the jail, through land owned by Correctional Services and NSW Health Department to Wine Country Drive.
Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent said Council would continue to advocate for a common sense approach.
“Our residents should not be footing the bill for the ongoing road maintenance costs of a NSW Government facility," he said.
"For such a large development the community deserves better. ”
“This debate has been going on for far too long and our residents deserve to be listened to.
"We’ll be writing to a number of NSW Government representatives including Premier Hon Gladys Berijiklian MP to secure a long term solution.”
RELATED CONTENT
2018
2017
2016
2013
2012