The official hand over of the former Brewarrina correctional centre site went ahead on Friday morning 3 June, despite the cold and wet weather.

The transfer of land to local organisations, with Brewarrina Shire Council taking over the developed section and the Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) receiving the remainder of the country, has been hailed a win for local jobs and the delivery of better health and employment services in the region.

Around 30 people were on hand for the event including representatives from the NSW government, Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council, Brewarrina Shire Council and the Orana Haven Board.

The LALC will receive the larger portion to establish agricultural enterprises and provide employment and education opportunities while Bre Shire Council will lease at least part of the facility to Orana Haven Aboriginal Corporation to offer women's drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council Chairman David Kirby said the site had long needed a facelift and useful purpose.

“We’re delighted that this site can now be transformed into a positive asset for our community and for future generations,” Mr Kirby said.

“This land acquisition is an excellent example of the power of good relationships, and governments understanding the land needs of Aboriginal people and what land means to us both culturally and economically.”

The section of the site tagged for Orana Haven's women's rehabilitation centre. Photo courtesy NSW Government.

Brewarrina Shire Mayor Vivian Slack-Smith says the facilities lend themselves to a variety of uses and that there are hopes that Orana Haven might be able to establish the rehab centre quite early in the second half of 2022.

"There's quite a lot of room there, it's a huge complex and in great condition, it's pretty well walk-in walk-out," she said.

"I think it's a fantastic opportunity, although I was initially opposed to council taking it on when there was no firm direction, once Orana Haven came up I think it’s a very fitting thing to do and that the government saw it fit to hand it back to us."

Mrs Slack-Smith says she is grateful that the original state's investment in the site will continue to benefit the local community.

"There will be opportunities for employment and for associated services for Brewarrina. We'd hope they'll purchase their groceries and supplies in town as the correctional centre did.

"There is still other space to do other things with. There are endless opportunities, we just have to have the vision."

Leon Walker, NSW Properties & Development, Vivian Slack-Smith Brewarrina Mayor, Tracey Gordon Orana Haven and David Kirby Brewarrina LALC.

Mr Butler said Brewarrina was just one example of how the NSW Government can work with local government, communities, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, and the private sector to repurpose the State’s retired prisons and deliver positive outcomes for regional communities.

“I’d like to thank the Minister Anthony Roberts and his chief of staff for their diligent effort and commitment in seeing this repurposing through, even six months after he changed his portfolio.”

“We listened to what the local community and stakeholders wanted and worked together to create more job and educational opportunities, improve access to drug and alcohol services, and return land to the Traditional Owners.”

The sale of the former Warakirri Ivanhoe Correctional Centre to mineral sand mining company, Tronox, has also been completed and will be upgraded to be used as an accommodation hub for workers on the Atlas-Campaspe Project and Ivanhoe Rail Siding.