Grafton Correctional Centre Concept Proposal & Stage 1

Clause 9.3 Social
Does not mention the negative impact on the Grafton Base Hospital.
There will be a large increase in the numbers of CC support staff and inmates who will or may require the services of the Grafton Base Hospital ED and all other areas. This facility (GBH) is already overloaded and under funded. Inmate admissions for accidents, fights and illnesses is currently and will in future take up beds, usually the limited private ones as a guard is also required. This is and will restrict the beds and care available to locals both now and with increased numbers in future.

I live closest to the property chosen for the jail.
this was not what I envisaged when I purchased this land and built our home. The current boundary fence in place between us is 9 metres in the wrong place.
It actually should be 9 mtr further into Bens paddock... this may need to be replaced and put in correct position prior to start... then next to my boundary there is an access through to the back paddock. then you.. ( jail )
I purposely built my house overlooking the neighbouring paddock of farming land. I will now look directly onto the jail or its walls at least. My biggest objection to the jail going here is simply "Our Safety" its not the view or the mess its all going make during construction. I am a single lady with children. Alone.
#1: I request that you build the property as far away as possible from my boundary. 150mtr is just too close.
My kids now 12 & 13 and myself are out there on our own. I have grave concerns for our safety with strange visitors of all kinds of backgrounds & increased traffic.
#2: I request that we have direct contact with help, security guards etc should we need it, as Police are minimum half hour away.
#3: I request that you make services, power, water, internet available to my property. Should I decide to connect to it at a later date.
My neighbours ( Donald Chevalley ) currently drove cattle up past my house to their other property on 6mile lane,
#4: I request that you provide Cattle On Road signs for the increased traffic expected. So we may move them as safely as possible.
I work every day, I am not sure what the timetable will be for the works, whether is a 9-5 job or is it all hours? Can you give us consideration to noise at night and weekends please.
AND in the interim Please Close the Gate!! there are cattle and horses in those paddocks. :)

I would really appreciate your sincere consideration to these requests. Thankyou Debbie Rake

My name is Kristine Clarke - Resident of 505 Avenue Road,
Ulmarra, 1 of 2 people directly affected by the building of the gaol.
My husband and I bought the land approx 12 years ago,building a house approx 10 years ago, We moved from Sydney where we choose a area of rural setting, where we thought we would a quiet lifestyle.
We now find that this will be destroyed by the State Govt building the gaol on our boundary.
We have great concerns about the building of the premises,
the types of people who will be frequently driving to and from the gaol, increased traffic as the road was never designed for such a huge premises to be built there.
As we and the other land owner next to us are considered a minority to the government , it is morally wrong

These are our concerns -
Impact on the building destroying the bushland environment.
Destroying all the animals and natural plantation.
Coming and going of people to our area - Bringing of inmates
Delivery people, Vistors to Inmates.
People hanging around the area.
Our Safety and to our Properties.
Decrease in Property valuation.
Road - increased traffic and noise.
Excess light in sky from gaol.

As are you are going to build on the boundaries of our
Properties I wish to propose that -

A 500 meter buffer zone - planted with Tall tress and vegetation - starting immediately, so that it will be of a height when gaol is completed.
Electricity to be run down to our properties at no cost to us,
Traffic not to use our end of Avenue road unless necessary.
Lighting for gaol to be down not pointing to sky.
Entrance and parking for gaol to be planted with trees and vegetation so it blends into rural setting.
To be advised during building as it will be impacted on our properties.

I would like a reply to this and I have probably have other things to add at a later date.

Kris Clarke

I am writting this submission as an objection to the New Grafton Correctional Centre Concept and Proposal and Stage 1 Early Works. I object to the acquisition of Bens land. A 84 year old man who has worked hard all his life so he could fufill his life long dream of owning his property at 313 Avenue Rd, Lavadia N.S.W for the purpose of running cattle to sustain his retirerment and building and living in his dream home for his old age. Ben has worked hard to have and own the said property debt free only to have his land compulsory acquirered and his dream home, which was ready for him to finally live in, be bulldozed to the ground. I object to the half truths that have been told to community or information with held from Ben, surrounding neighbours and the wider community. Such as the illeagal closure of the Grafton gaol to the proposed amount beds required for the New Grafton Correctional Centre will hold. I object to the lack of concern for a significant, First Nations People, sacrid sight such as a Bora Ring found on Bens land. I find you all in contempt of human decentcies and moral ethicacies

This business currently uses Avenue Road on a regular basis to herd cattle from property to property during flood times,this being the case we need to ensure that secure fencing along Avenue Road remains in place to allow this essential part of our business operations to continue in a safe & uncomplicated manner.

Application No: SSD 7413
New Grafton Correctional Center.

Reading the EIS I find it full of many flaws and contradictions.

The ones I am most concerned with are:

The Utilities: This site has no utilities available and would all have to be brought in from Grafton. When asked about electricity it was explained that it would be coming from Grafton with the power going through private properties. So it is obvious that there are landowners at the moment who are oblivious that soon they will be told they are having a corridor going through their properties, these people need to know now, be informed so they can have the chance to write a submission regarding this D.A. Or will they be treated like Ben Jones?
There seems to be no thought going into having a solar farm at the Correctional site which would be an obvious solution, not to mention the inmates learning about renewables, which is the way into the future.

Demolition of Ben Jones house on the Correctional site.

It is written that in Stage 1 early works, that the house and shed will be demolished. This is a perfect example of wasting NSW Government money ( our money). A perfectly "brand new home" complete with solar system. Ben Jones never got to live in his new home.
Not to mention right at this moment it could be used for emergency accommodation, as Grafton has many families desperate for housing, even short term.

I feel the site is totally inappropriate for the NGCC as the expense of getting all utilities to the site, demolishing the existing home and shed and having to create more corridors through peoples farmlands and residences does not justify the approval of this development. This may have seemed the most "easiest" site as there was minimal vegetation, but the overall expense does not justify this site as "the one".

I am not saying that Grafton should not have a correctional center, I am expressing that it should be better placed where the utilities are already existing, where no more corridors will be made, no more families hit with the "unexpected".

In an Industrial area would be the best position, as industries operate during the day and no one lives nearby, also wildlife is at a minimum in there areas, and all night lighting more acceptable.

I feel the current site was a rushed decision and needs now to have a serious look at the problems and expenses it will face in establishing this site.

Don't be afraid to go back to the drawing board to make sure you get it right.
I look forward to seeing you acting on these submissions.

Regards
Julie Oxenbridge

Application No: SSD7413

Submission:

New Grafton Correctional Centre EIS 16 September 2016

My name is, Winston of Old Six Mile Lane, Glenugie NSW.
Qualifications: Director of Good Life Designs, Winner of CVC Sustainable Living Award 2012 and highly commended 2013.

I disagree with the proposed site at 313 Avenue Road, on economic, environmental and cultural reasons.

I understand we need to upgrade the present Grafton Correctional Centre which occupies one town block close to all services, hospital, ambulance, police and public buses and trains.
Infrastructure, two lane tarred roads, mains power, town water supply and town sewage.

My objection is, your site selection.
Your committee who selected 313 Avenue Road, Glenugie, only started looking this time last year. They had this one site announced in November 2015 with no alternatives publicly announced for discussion. This shattered Ben Jones, the farmer and his neighbours.

INSW announced to the public the site is 12klms from Grafton with available infrastructure!


We put forward to Kimberley Everett, then Greg Lake (project manager), "That before our State money is spent on an EIS for this site (313 Avenue Rd) an initial corridor mapping and estimated costing for all roadworks, H.V power supply and sub-station, mains water supply and sewage works be undertaken to test the cost effectiveness of this site.

At a meeting in Grafton Library at 4.30pm Friday 2 September
with four INSW reps from Sydney and three local residence it was estimated by a INSW rep that the proposed 195ha site would occupy approximately 36 Grafton town blocks.

Carlo, the INSW rep said, the actual distance by tarred road from Grafton to the Avenue site is 24klms and when asked on police response times, he said it would be at least 10 - 15mins. I believe it would be longer, especially during busy traffic times on the Grafton bridge.
At this meeting it was agreed a minimum extra cost to supply high voltage power, town water and onsite treatment plant above a SEPP14 wetland, not allowing for roadworks and communications upgrade would be at least 60 million dollars.

Other issues at this meeting. "Is a private ran mega jail, the best plan to reduce re-offenders in our greater community"?

"How far can you run in 10 - 15 minutes"?

(See Carlo Schsserra's staff notes from this meeting).

Previously at the public breakfast where Greg Lake addressed the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, a local Aboriginal Elder spoke of "Over 50% of inmates in NSW are of indigenous background. I put forward at this public meeting that by utilizing a smaller site, closer to all infrastructure and services we could start spending part of the 60 million dollar extra cost, right now on programmes all over the NE corner of NSW to avoid first offenders and reduce growing pressure on our correctional centers.
Greg Lake suggested this plan be put forward to the Minister.
No reply has yet been received, though promised.

Notes on your EIS.
Re. 10.2.1 page 71 - Electricity "overhead lines - 24kms - local sub-station".
It is now known to live within 25 metres of a high voltage power line can be a health risk therefore 24000mtrs long x 50mtrs wide,= 120000m2 of newly created unlivable zone in our valley over and above the economical cost.

Re: 10.2.2 Natural Gas "No natural gas infrastructure".
CVC landfill is flaring off continuously landfill gas, this gas.
For 2.6 million dollars can be filtered and combusted to generate electricity for the equivalent of 500 homes. (Info from CVC staff and mayor).

This renewable energy source with solar and wind on a site close to South Grafton landfill (with HV power lines overhead) could be a positive step forward to a sustainable future through good design.

Other environmental reasons not to turn 313 Avenue Road into a concrete jail.
Set between World Heritage wetlands and prime native natural hardwood forest, many rare and en danged species still live and pass through this area as pointed out in your EIS.
Far more are still not recorded.
Re: 12.3.2 page 80 Rufous Bettong, "no nest site(s) was discovered on the project site".
We live only 2.5 - 3klm SW from Ben Jones farm and often find the Rufous nest sites.

Re: 11.5 "four new areas - deposits (pads) and one new aboriginal archaeological site were identified during the field survey - registered three new sites".
This all from a maximum of 4 days on site.
This agrees with RMS employed RPS manager Ms E. Williams, who said, "There are many layers of Aboriginal stories in this area.

Talking with local Ngeraie land council staff, "over 60% of cultural sites registered with AHIMS have been damaged or distroyed, that is why not all sites are registered".
Re: 11.3 archaeological desk top assessment "based on the AHIMS data".

I believe this is only just the start of revealing the true wealth of spiritual stories and cultural significance of this area.

We are in the over lap area of two nations.

Please don't rush in and destroy these remnants of ancient culture.

Conclusion. Far more cost effective sites are available to sustainable infrastructure, services and far less impact on our environment and cultural heritage.
With the money saved now spent on avoiding growing numbers filling our jails.

Yours sincerely

Winston Oxenbridge

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