News
30 July, 2026
Minister hits back over gaol closure
The NSW Government has defended its handling of changes at Goulburn Correctional Centre after Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Nina Dillon accused it of treating the community with contempt and described the consultation process as "nothing more than lip service".
The NSW Government has defended its handling of changes at Goulburn Correctional Centre after Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Nina Dillon accused it of treating the community with contempt and described the consultation process as "nothing more than lip service".
The Southern Wire revealed yesterday that the Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Nina Dillon believed the fate of the prison's maximum-security wings had already been decided, pointing to the transfer of inmates before the six-month consultation period had concluded.
Responding to questions from The Southern Wire, Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong rejected suggestions the consultation was meaningless and stressed Goulburn prison was not closing.
"The decision to close four Victorian-era wings at Goulburn Correctional Centre was announced in March 2026 as they are no longer fit for purpose and pose ongoing safety concerns for staff and inmates," Mr Chanthivong said.
"We acknowledge the community is unsettled by the announcements, but want to be clear that Goulburn prison is not closing.
"The minimum security wings remain open, as does the High Risk Management Centre (Supermax). Goulburn will remain a significant part of NSW Corrective Services."
The Minister also sought to reassure correctional staff concerned about their future.
"As has been previously stated, no staff member will be forced off the job," he said.
"There have been and will be no forced redundancies or forced transfers and all affected staff who wish to continue working at Goulburn will be provided with opportunities to do so."
Addressing criticism that inmates had already begun leaving the prison before consultation had finished, Mr Chanthivong said the transfer of inmates did not undermine the process.
"The six-month consultation period is about managing the impacts of the changes and ensuring affected staff have the opportunity to be consulted about workforce outcomes and implementation arrangements," he said.
"The movement of inmates is to enable the new operations to commence at the centre following the closure of the wings and does not impact on the consultation process, the IRC conciliation or the petition which will be debated in Parliament.
"Consultation activities will continue through to September 2026."
Mr Chanthivong also highlighted a series of recent government investments in Goulburn, including $32.3 million over two years for Police Academy facilities, $14.4 million for the new Goulburn Police Station, 55 new social homes, a $5.5 million refuge for women and children fleeing violence, and the introduction of a Midwifery Group Practice model at Goulburn Base Hospital.
"The only people with a track record of walking away from communities are the Opposition," he said.
The Government's response comes after Mayor Dillon said she believed the consultation process had become little more than a formality, arguing the transfer of inmates before the consultation period had ended suggested the outcome had already been determined.
A parliamentary e-petition opposing the closure has attracted more than 20,000 signatures and is expected to be debated in the NSW Parliament later this year.
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