NEW SEQ PRISON PRECINCT SITE NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN

5 January 2007

Negotiations have begun with landowners following the identification of a suitable site for the new correctional precinct in the Gatton Shire, in south-east Queensland.

Acting Premier Anna Bligh said the site is a 600 hectare parcel of land at Spring Creek, in the north-eastern corner of the shire off the Gatton-Esk Road.

“On behalf of Queensland Corrective Services, Department of Natural Resources and Water has this week begun negotiations with the owners of the properties that make up this parcel of land,” Ms Bligh said.

“The property owners are being asked to advise within a month whether they are willing to sell their land to the State Government.”

Ms Bligh said once the purchase of land was finalised, the Department of Public Works will undertake master planning for the site and develop sketch plans for stage one of the project.

Ms Bligh said the buildings will only occupy between 10-15 percent of the site, enabling a significant buffer zone to be retained around the correctional centres planned for the site.

“Stage one of the development will include a 300-bed women’s prison followed by a 500-bed men’s prison, to be built by 2010,” Ms Bligh said.

“The prison precinct is expected to create more than $375 million in trade value for the Gatton area during construction, and create jobs for 380 prison staff during the initial stage, increasing to 1750 on completion.

“The precinct is part of long term planning for the future to accommodate the growth in Queensland’s prisoner numbers.

“The site will have the potential to house up to five correctional facilities on the one site.”

As part of an offer to the Gatton Shire Council for the project to go ahead, the State Government is relocating the existing showgrounds and equestrian facilities to the council’s preferred location, in exchange for about half of the current showground site, which will be used for a new government precinct.

Ms Bligh said an extensive community engagement process began on November 29 after the state government’s announcement that the Gatton Shire was the preferred location for the precinct.

“Information about the project has been made available to residents with a shopfront at the council library staffed Monday to Saturday by Queensland Corrective Services officers, a 1800 telephone number, a website, email address and regular columns in local newspaper, The Gatton Star,” Ms Bligh said.

“A community meeting was hosted on December 11, and meetings were held with a range of community groups.

“Further meetings with community agencies are planned early in 2007.

“Since the shopfront opened on November 30 more than 200 people have visited to ask questions and obtain more information about the project.

“There has been an average of 12 calls a week to the 1800 number and a small number of inquiries via the email address.”

Ms Bligh said there had been high levels of interest and community support for the project, with inquiries ranging from general project information and details about the work of Queensland Corrective Services, to questions about the exact location of the precinct within Spring Creek, employment opportunities that will be available and impacts on property values.

For more information about the prison precinct, telephone 1800 663 768, visit www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au or email communityengagement@correctiveservices.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Police Minister’s Office 3239 6218