The state government's announcement of the Valley Central Industrial Precinct, just north of Westbury, as the preferred site for the $270 million Northern Regional Prison has prompted an intense reaction from certain sections of the local community.

Now the government is putting together a proposal for "community delegates" to head interstate to an as yet undetermined town with a prison situated close by, according to Corrections Minister Elise Archer.

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"Having listened to the initial community feedback, the government is currently putting together a proposal to Meander Valley Council regarding an information-gathering trip to a modern prison facility interstate," she said.

"It is anticipated community delegates would participate in the trip."

Regional areas where maximum security prisons are situated near townships include Lithgow and Cessnock in New South Wales.

Meander Valley councillor John Temple said a "study trip" was a "sensible" idea.

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"[What has been] the socio-economic impact on [other towns]?" he said.

"[I'd] also ... ask, if they had their time over again, how would they have done it differently?"

Meander Valley mayor Wayne Johnston also believed it could be "of benefit" for the council to undertake a fact-finding trip.

Cr Johnston said discussions would be had with the government about how such a trip would be funded, adding that it may not be something which ratepayers should have to foot the entire bill for.