Opponents to the new Northern prison proposed at Westbury claim the government has broadened the survey field for feedback on the site to ensure pro-prison sentiment.
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Independent consultants SGS Economics is undertaking a social and economic impact study on the proposal which includes phone and mail-out surveys.
The phone survey will gauge the opinions of residents in Westbury and Birralee but the mail-out will go to all residents in the Meander Valley municipality.
Corrections Minister Elise Archer said the phone survey was added as a result of direct consultation she had with community members last month.
"It is anticipated the phone survey will be undertaken in February with an interim report to follow from SGS Economics," she said.
Westbury Region Against the Prison spokeswoman Linda Poulton said ample feedback from residents during December's consultation phase and big attendances at anti-prison rallies had sent the government a clear message that the new prison was not wanted near the township.
"We believe that the decision to widen the scope of the survey became necessary for the state government in order for it to obtain the pro-prison feedback that it desperately needs," she said.
The Westbury site was one of 10 received by the Justice Department through an expressions of interest process.
The prison is anticipated to cost $270 million to build.
About 40 per cent of the state's prison population originates from the North and North-West.
The prison is expected to employ 250 people.
