Meander Valley Council mayor Wayne Johnston says the Tasmanian Government needs to "lift its game" in consulting with the community over the proposal Northern Regional Prison in Westbury.
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The council has written to the government urging greater discussions with the community, with residents' feedback indicating limited consultation had taken place.
Cr Johnston said there was a need for greater clarity around the consultation phase, given the prison was announced six weeks ago.
"Additional information sessions, an online feedback portal and a constant physical presence in the community are urgently needed to improve engagement and support for our community," he said.
This week's Meander Valley Council meeting question time was dominated by questions relating to the prison, prompting the council to urge the government to do more.
Cr Johnston said it was pleasing that the prison project team could be contacted by phone or email, but it appeared residents' questions were not being answered adequately.
MORE ON THE WESTBURY PRISON:
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- Northern Tasmanian prison site revealed
- Northern Tasmania Development Corporation defends prison
- Westbury should sense opportunity, mayor of council with three prisons says
- Meander councillor John Temple questions prison plans
- Elise Archer talks up proposed Northern Regional Prison
- Caught in the middle: Where Westbury really stands on proposed prison
- Alternative prison sites revealed under RTI
"The community understandably has a lot of questions about this project and there are a lot of views, with some people for it, some against and some unsure," he said.
"That's why we believe the state government needs to lift its game on consultation so that everyone who wants to have a say is given an opportunity to have a say."
Westbury resident Liza deLautour carried out an informal survey of main street businesses in Westbury last week, and found none of the 23 had been directly consulted.
Corrections Minister Elise Archer said consultation had been "comprehensive" and the government had received "constructive and informative" feedback during sessions, "including many positive comments".
"In addition to sharing more than 4000 pamphlets with businesses and residents, we have hosted drop-in sessions for people to learn more about the development and provide feedback to the project team, and have had direct engagement with locals and responded to a number of enquiries and letters," she said.
