Businesses concerned the man dubbed the 'Beast of Blenheim' will visit their premises can apply for a trespass order against him, says Wanganui Mayor Annette Main.
After 18 years in jail, serial sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson will be released on parole on September 1 to monitored accommodation in the grounds of Wanganui Prison.
Main told TV ONE's Q and A this morning if the Wanganui council failed in their bid to stop Wilson from living in the community, then they would consider coordinating a trespass notice campaign, but only if "the community wanted it".
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"They can [order a trespass notice]. I don't know if they will, but it seems sensible," she said.
In a special meeting last week, the council voted unanimously to take all measures to stop Wilson, 64, from being placed in Wanganui.
Main also voiced criticism of the Corrections Department's decision to place Wilson in the community.
"I'm not convinced that the Corrections Department took into consideration the recreational areas around the prison. Or that they understood the community size there.
"What they haven't managed to do is convince the Wanganui community that it will work," Main commented.
Main also said another area of concern for residents was the GPS technology that would be used to monitor Wilson's whereabouts.
"The GPS hasn't been tested in New Zealand yet, and understandably the people of Wanganui are concerned. Particularly, the people that live in the community around the prison at Kaitoke," Main said.
As part of Wilson's parole conditions, he will not be allowed to leave his residence unaccompanied.
Main said Wanganui residents felt like they had not received enough information on Wilson's move to the community.
"We weren't given this information in time, we weren't able to discuss it. And we weren't able to come up with the confidence that this would work," Main said.
A report to the Parole Board said Wilson had asked to be freed in Christchurch, however he could not provide an address to the Corrections Department so was ordered to reside in the west coast city.