Future investments, jobs secured for Barwon

Last published on 15 Feb 2021 

Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts today announced the future of the retired Brewarrina Correctional Centre has been secured, bringing new investment to the Barwon region.

Ownership of the site at Brewarrina will be jointly transferred to the Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Brewarrina Shire Council, with the latter leasing its portion to Orana Haven enabling it for use as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.

“This is a great result for the people of Barwon, bringing much-need jobs and investment to a drought-impacted region,” Mr Roberts said.

“It’s also a win for residents because the transferring of the Brewarrina site ensures it is preserved entirely for community use for the next 15 years.

“The outcome is the result of detailed consultation between Property NSW, the Brewarrina Community, Brewarrina Shire Council, NSW Aboriginal Land Council, the Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council and Orana Haven Aboriginal Corporation.

“I thank each of these entities for their remarkable cooperation to bring this opportunity to fruition.”

In relation to the retired correctional facility at Ivanhoe, Minister Roberts said the lease negotiations for the Ivanhoe Correctional facility with Tronox Mining are progressing positively.

Tronox Mining is considering using the former correctional centre as a housing base for workers employed in its newly established Atlas Campaspe mineral-sands mining operation nearby which will also create employment opportunities in catering, cleaning, laundry, maintenance and administration.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP said the outcome has been a concentrated effort.

“I thank Minister Roberts for listening to my calls to repurpose these facilities so the economic activity in Brewarrina and Ivanhoe can be maintained, or indeed expanded,” Mr Butler said.

“Both projects will provide significant benefits to the Barwon region and I’m very pleased with the result we have been able to achieve; these projects will herald a new era for the towns.”