Published Friday, 04 May, 2007 at 03:23 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Minister welcomes industry support for prisoner water tanks
Minister for Corrective Services, Judy Spence has welcomed the strong support shown by the tank manufacturing industry for the State Government’s plan to produce water tanks at the Woodford Correctional Centre.
The Minister met with industry representatives and manufacturers yesterday to brief them on the decision to seek a private sector partner for the project.
“We will work closely with the water tank industry in developing the specifications for the tender,” Ms Spence said.
“Industry representatives told me they are excited about this project because it will train workers for their industry which has a skills shortage,” she said.
Queensland Corrective Services is considering various options for the project including merely supplying the bare workshops, prisoner labour and site security with the producer providing all equipment and materials and staff to supervise the prisoners.
At the other end of the scale, QCS could provide the facility, all equipment, material and prisoner labour as well as the staff to supervise and manage production.
“Obviously, different financial arrangements would apply under each of the possible models but in all cases the producer would ultimately own all goods produced, after paying a set fee per item to QCS,” Ms Spence said.
“We expect to release the tender details in June and anticipate being in full production by November,” she said.
Ms Spence said there was a strong and positive response from those attending the meeting.
“This is not about competing against private companies but about helping to meet the huge demand for water tanks in Queensland and providing prisoners with important skills,” Ms Spence said.
“The current waiting time for water tanks is lengthy, depending on the supplier, and that is expected to increase after July 1 when laws requiring all new houses to have a water tank come into force,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Rotational Moulders Australasia Leisa Donland said water tank manufacturers welcome the government’s proposal.
“Our industry is very excited about being involved in a project that provides released prisoners with the training to get a good job with a quality employer and Queensland tank makers with a skilled workforce that will provide consumers with the water tanks they need,” Ms Donlan said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287
The Minister met with industry representatives and manufacturers yesterday to brief them on the decision to seek a private sector partner for the project.
“We will work closely with the water tank industry in developing the specifications for the tender,” Ms Spence said.
“Industry representatives told me they are excited about this project because it will train workers for their industry which has a skills shortage,” she said.
Queensland Corrective Services is considering various options for the project including merely supplying the bare workshops, prisoner labour and site security with the producer providing all equipment and materials and staff to supervise the prisoners.
At the other end of the scale, QCS could provide the facility, all equipment, material and prisoner labour as well as the staff to supervise and manage production.
“Obviously, different financial arrangements would apply under each of the possible models but in all cases the producer would ultimately own all goods produced, after paying a set fee per item to QCS,” Ms Spence said.
“We expect to release the tender details in June and anticipate being in full production by November,” she said.
Ms Spence said there was a strong and positive response from those attending the meeting.
“This is not about competing against private companies but about helping to meet the huge demand for water tanks in Queensland and providing prisoners with important skills,” Ms Spence said.
“The current waiting time for water tanks is lengthy, depending on the supplier, and that is expected to increase after July 1 when laws requiring all new houses to have a water tank come into force,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Rotational Moulders Australasia Leisa Donland said water tank manufacturers welcome the government’s proposal.
“Our industry is very excited about being involved in a project that provides released prisoners with the training to get a good job with a quality employer and Queensland tank makers with a skilled workforce that will provide consumers with the water tanks they need,” Ms Donlan said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287