Suggestions that a youth jail might be built in one of the fastest growing suburbs in Victoria has drawn the ire of locals.
The state government is planning a new youth detention centre with The Age reporting it will be a 250-bed centre at Werribee South.
Transport Minister Jacinta Allan wouldn't confirm a location for the new centre on Wednesday, saying only "details are being worked through".
But Werribee residents were up in arms about the suggestion it could be in Melbourne's outer west.
"Why does every government think it's a God given right to dump everything in the west? Build it in Portsea and see how they like it," Valentina Ross said on Facebook.
Marianna Costa said the west "continues to be a repository for all Victoria's problems".
Wyndham City Council chief Kelly Grigsby says she hasn't been notified of any plans.
"We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the state government to discuss the matter," Ms Grigsby said in a statement.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy suggests it would be smarter to expand the existing youth justice centres in Malmsbury, Parkville and Barwon.
"Why are we building a new facility on the doorstop of one of the fastest growing growth corridors in Australia?" he asked.
Werribee South farmland produces some of Victoria's cauliflower, broccoli and spinach crops, but is also an area of vast development, the council said.
The government has been under pressure to combat a rise in riots in its juvenile justice centres over the past 18 months.
Last week 15 youths escaped the Malmsbury youth justice centre while the Parkville centre was trashed last year, diminishing its bed capacity.
