They've been trying to shake the "tag of poo farm" for years and now Werribee in Melbourne's west will be known for its prison, a protest over a proposed new youth detention centre has heard.
Thousands of angry locals turned out at a rally in Werribee on Monday night over the state government's plan to build a 244-bed youth detention centre in the suburb.
It's been dubbed "Tim's Palace" after the member for Werribee, Treasurer Tim Pallas, and locals are furious they read about the plan for the prison in the media.
"Mr Pallas if you believe in full consultation, why didn't we have any," Bernie Finn, the Liberal member for Melbourne's west told the rally.
"We will fight this until the very end and we will not let him destroy the City of Wyndham."
The crowd chanted "resign" when speakers mentioned Youth Affairs Minister Jenny Mikakos and Mr Pallas.
Mayor Henry Barlow told the crowd the community needed to fight to protect what it had worked so hard to build.
"This site is the gateway to our tourist precinct, and the prison is the first thing people will see when they drive in," Mr Barlow said.
A petition signed by thousands of residents will be presented to state parliament next week.
