Despite many surveys arriving in mailboxes this week, the Government has been made aware that some Meander Valley households are yet to receive a survey on the preferred site of the Northern Regional Prison.
The impact of coronavirus has delivered very challenging times for all Tasmanians in recent weeks, and the Government, following specific requests to me from concerned Westbury residents, has determined that it is appropriate to extend the deadline for surveys to be returned from the current deadline of 30 March to 15 April.
This important mail out survey is being independently conducted by SGS Economics as part of its role to complete a Social and Economic Impact Study for the preferred site.
As a result of this new survey deadline and because of the challenges that have emerged due to the coronavirus, it is expected the Government will now receive the report later than had been previously indicated.
Importantly, I again reiterate that no final decision has been made about where the Northern Regional Prison will be located.
The Social and Economic impact Study is an important part of the Government’s extensive consultation process, which will determine if this is indeed the best location for this important facility.
These are challenging times for Tasmanians and the Government will do what it can to accommodate issues that arise such as this.