A meeting date for community members to discuss the future of the Dhurringile Prison site after the prison closes at the end of August has been confirmed.
There is also a survey on state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland’s website for locals to express their ideas and share how the facility’s closure has impacted them.
Together with state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe, Ms Cleeland will be at the August 8 meeting at the Dhurringile Hall to meet with community members.
The closure of the low-security prison will leave 170 on-site staff out of a job and have detrimental implications on the local economy.
The MPs recently attended a briefing by Victorian Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan about the closure before helping organise the upcoming meeting.
“There is a big question remaining about what the site will be used for now that the prison will be shut down,” Ms Cleeland said.
“I think it is best to put the question to the community and hear their thoughts about something that will be such a major factor for the region.
“After the community was sadly kept in the dark leading up to the closure of the prison, it is essential that their concerns are now heard and taken seriously.”
Ms O’Keeffe said locals were best suited to make the call on what came next for the town, as they would be the ones impacted the most.
“There are many local businesses which provide goods and services and are significantly impacted by the closure,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“It’s a significant historic landmark, and we need to ensure that the community have a say about its future.”
Ms Cleeland and Ms O’Keefe have been advocating for better community compensation for businesses impacted and encouraged attendees to bring personal impact statements.
The meeting will be held at 5pm on Thursday, August 8, at the Dhurringile Hall, Langham Rd, Dhurringile.
Those who cannot attend can fill out Ms Cleeland’s survey here.