News
24 April, 2026
Goulburn residents to rally for Correctional Centre
Goulburn residents are being encouraged to turn out in force next Thursday (April 30) to protest against proposed changes at the Goulburn Correctional Centre.
Goulburn residents are being encouraged to turn out in force next Thursday (April 30) to protest against proposed changes at the Goulburn Correctional Centre.
As already reported by The Southern Wire, the State Government is planning to close a number of the older Victorian wings at the centre and to relocate prisoners elsewhere.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman will be one of the speakers at the rally next Thursday between 4pm and 5.30pm at Belmore Park.
Mrs Tuckerman wants the State Government to invest money into the Correctional Centre and to bring it up to modern standards rather than close it down.
“Goulburn’s correctional centre is too important to our region to close down,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“It provides local jobs, supports families and underpins a significant part of our regional economy.
“Closing it would send a devastating message to Goulburn and to regional NSW more broadly,” she said.
Brad Sutherland said the decision to close the wings had been made without consultation and described it as a “community crisis”.
“For well over 100 years the gaol has been part of the backbone of this town,” Mr Sutherland posted on Facebook.
“What’s being proposed isn’t just a decision on paper, it’s a decision that will ripple through every street, every business and every household,” he said.
“Now is the time for Goulburn to stand together,” Mr Sutherland said.
“Not just for the staff and their families, but for the future of our entire community.”
Wingecarribee mayor Jesse Fitpatrick has also attended a meeting at the Goulburn Correctional Centre in support of residents from the Shire’s southern villages – many of whom work at the correctional centre and have raised concerns about the impacts of the proposed changes.
“While the direct operational impact in Wingecarribee is limited, it’s important we stand alongside our neighbouring councils, particularly Goulburn and Upper Lachlan, in recognising the broader regional implications of these changes,” Mayor Fitzpatrick said.
Mrs Tuckerman said she had also met with the Corrective Services Minister along with the Mayors from Goulburn-Mulwaree and Wingecarribee.
“Lots of questions were asked but not many answered,” she said.
“It is clear to me that no planning has been done other than the announcement by the Minister that the Government were closing the wings.
According to Mrs Tuckerman, Corrective Services Minister Anoulack Chanthivong continues to say there will be no forced relocations and no forced redundancies.
He also said he had made no decisions about future investment.
Mrs Tuckerman said the correctional centre would continue to be a part of Goulburn in some capacity, but its future was uncertain.
“The Minister has had two years to work this out, and we’re none the wiser,” she said.
The Government has announced it will be closing four wings at the correctional centre with as many as 170 inmates to be relocated.
Mr Chanthivong has said the closure was part of a reform program “that focuses on housing inmates in areas that meet modern requirements and support the safety and well-being of staff and inmates”.
The closure is due to come into effect in September this year.
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