Corrections Minister, David Elliott has responded to concerns raised in the media about access to the Cessnock Correctional Centre as part of the prison's expansion.
In a statement, the minister said that while existing access arrangements are adequate, a traffic management plan is being prepared to take into account the prison's expansion and he won't rule out changes once the plan is completed.
"Corrective Services NSW continues to consult with Cessnock City Council to examine all options for future access to the site. A number of proposed alternatives are being considered. We take community concerns very seriously and would like to reassure local residents and businesses that their concerns are being considered," he said.
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| NSW Corrections Minister David Elliott |
Construction is about to begin on the 330 bed expansion of Cessnock Gaol, but residents concerns about the project still haven't been addressed.
Corrections Minister, David Elliott turned the first sod on the facility yesterday, which will make Cessnock one of the largest gaols in the state.
Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent says the creation of 70 new jobs is welcome, but residents will still be left with the visual impact and the cost of maintaining a council road into the state-run facility.
"It would be nice if we could sort out the screening issues to the residents who live close by and to sort out the access on state roads and not the ratepayers paying for the maintenance of the roads into a state facility," he said.
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| Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent |
