12 November 2010

The public will still have significant input on whether land at the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility can be used for a men's prison if it is heard by a Board of Inquiry, says Department of Corrections Project Director, Jeremy Lightfoot.

"A Board of Inquiry enables the public to have significant input through a public submissions and hearing process.  It is a very open and transparent process,” said Mr Lightfoot.

The Minister of Corrections lodged a Notice of Requirement (NoR) with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on 1 November 2010 for the proposed new men’s prison and requested that it be heard by a Board of Inquiry because it is a project of national significance.

Mr Lightfoot said that over the past seven months the Department has been consulting extensively with the community.  Consultation will continue.

“We have carefully considered the feedback we received and have tried as much as possible to address any concerns in our application to the EPA. The process is now in the hands of the EPA.”

The EPA was set up in 2009 to streamline the decision making process for nationally significant proposals, such as major infrastructure or public works projects.   In its recommendation to the Minister for the Environment, the EPA outlined why it considers the project to be of national significance.  It recommended the application be directed to a Board of Inquiry.  The Minister for the Environment is expected to make a decision shortly on whether there will be a Board of Inquiry or not. 

If it is referred to a Board of Inquiry, the EPA will then publicly notify the application and call for submissions.  Submissions can then be made to the EPA by anyone interested for a 20-working day period.  The Board of Inquiry is required by legislation to make a decision within nine months of the date of public notification.

The Department of Corrections has already sent an update on the status of the application to those who have commented on the new prison before.

“In early November we went to the market seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) in building and running the new prison.  We’ll be getting responses to the EOI on 22 December and then releasing a Request for Proposal from potential bidders.  We expect to be able to select the preferred bidder by late October 2011.  The Board of Inquiry process is not only open and transparent but by having a nine month timeframe we have some certainty we can give to the market,” said Mr Lightfoot.

ENDS

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