QLD GOVERNMENT INVESTS FURTHER $9.6M IN LOTUS GLEN EXPANSION

Premier Anna Bligh announced in Parliament today that the Queensland Government would invest a further $9.65 million in a 300 cell expansion of Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in Far North Queensland.

Ms Bligh said the funds were in addition to the $230 million the Government is investing in an extensive statewide infrastructure program to ensure our prison capacities grow with the State’s prison population.

“The ABS’ latest Census figures show that between 2001 and 2006 our population grew at an average of 92,500 every year. That’s 1800 new Queenslanders every week,” Ms Bligh said.

“As a Government we recognise that with population growth comes a greater demand on correctional facilities. In the north of the State, for example, the Department of Corrective Services expects the prison population to grow from its current 1080 to 1600 within the next 10 years,” she said.

Police and Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said the Bligh Government was committed to ensuring the north of the State had the infrastructure it needed to cope with growth.

“An expansion of the Townsville Men’s Correctional Centre and a new Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre are currently under construction and due for completion in 2008,” Ms Spence said.

“The current Townsville women's 40-bed secure facility, which is located inside the men's correctional centre perimeter, will be freed up for use by the male correctional centre and a $130 million stand-alone154 bed women's correctional centre will be built in the precinct.”

Ms Bligh said the funds announced today would enable the schematic design and design development of the expansion of the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in Mareeba and engage a building consultant to provide professional costing, buildability and programming advice.

“At this early stage we expect additional cells at Lotus Glen to be in use by late 2010, with the full expansion completed by 2011,” Ms Bligh said.

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3239 6218 (Minister Spence’s office)