IS NEW GRAFTON GAOL HERALD OF GOLDEN AGE OR STING IN THE TAIL?

THE new jail for Grafton heralds a golden time for the city say politicians, while those closer to coal face warn of a sting in the tail in the public/private partnership side of the announcement.

Clarence Valley Mayor Richie Williamson says the jail is the icing on the cake for the region following on from $4.5 billion worth of highway upgrade and bridge works.

"There's going to be a lot of jobs from it in the construction phase plus, I've been told, close to 200 permanent jobs once the facility is operational," Cr Williamson said.