Published Friday, 14 December, 2007 at 09:42 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Land procured for Prisons of the Future at Gatton
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence, together with Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten, today announced the State Government had acquired the necessary land to begin building the prisons of the future at Gatton.
Ms Spence said four blocks of land, totalling over 680 hectares, had been acquired at Spring Creek in Gatton, meaning earth works would begin in the New Year.
“This government is committed to building for the future, and the procurement of this land will allow us to get a head start,” Ms Spence said.
“It is anticipated that the precinct could accommodate around 3,000 male and female prisoners, in the next decade.
“Work on Stage One of the development is now planned to commence during 2008, on Lot 240, which is known locally as “The Weaver Block”.
“Future stages will be constructed on the remainder of the blocks, lots, 238, 242 and 244, over the next ten years.
“This is about ensuring our correctional system in Queensland remains sufficient to accommodate prisoner growth in the future.
“In Queensland, we have a reputation for having the most secure system in the country, and this major project will deliver the latest in state-of-the-art technology for housing offenders, ensuring community safety.”
Minister Schwarten said the State Government had engaged construction company Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd to undertake the building consultancy role for the correctional precinct development project, with the managing contractor for the prison project to be announced early next year.
“The Department of Public Works has completed master planning and schematic design for stage one of the project and is now embarking on more detailed design work,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Baulderstone Hornibrook is recognised for its expertise in the key areas of buildability, market costing and programming, and will provide invaluable input in these areas.
“The company is suitably experienced in undertaking major correctional facilities projects and is currently engaged as managing contractor for the redevelopment of the Townsville Men’s Correctional Centre and the new Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre.
“It will make an enormous contribution to the project at Gatton as we move towards the start of early works on the Spring Creek site in the first half of 2008. We expect to commence major works on site about the middle of next year, with completion of Stage 1 scheduled for 2011.
“Sustainability will be a key factor in the construction process, with efforts to minimise the use of drinkable water to include collecting and reusing rain and waste water, monitoring major water use, controlling supply to secure areas, and using water efficient fixtures and cooling systems, as well as drought-tolerant landscaping.”
Ms Spence said the infrastructure set to be built would take up only 15% of the total land procured.
“This use of the land will maximise the buffer between the individual male and female centres and immediate residential neighbours to the site,” Ms Spence said.
“The prisons will also be able to be set back from the road, behind the tree line, within a fully fenced perimeter.
“All buildings will be low level, with only accommodation blocks and Gatehouses up to two stories.
“Initially, the precinct will provide employment for 380 staff, increasing to 1,750 as the infrastructure grows. These jobs will be across the full range of correctional services delivery, including custodial officers, administration staff, programs and education teachers and trade instructors.
“During construction and up to 2015, the trade value to the local area is estimated to be in excess of $375 million.
“This government has embarked upon broad community consultation in the planning of this project and we will continue to work with the local community, which for the most part has welcomed this major project, which will see more jobs created and resources delivered to the Gatton area.”
The attached map identifies the proposed positioning of the new male and female correctional centres, on the procured land.
Media Contact: Minister Spence’s Office: 3239 6218
Minister Schwarten’s Office: 3237 1184
Ms Spence said four blocks of land, totalling over 680 hectares, had been acquired at Spring Creek in Gatton, meaning earth works would begin in the New Year.
“This government is committed to building for the future, and the procurement of this land will allow us to get a head start,” Ms Spence said.
“It is anticipated that the precinct could accommodate around 3,000 male and female prisoners, in the next decade.
“Work on Stage One of the development is now planned to commence during 2008, on Lot 240, which is known locally as “The Weaver Block”.
“Future stages will be constructed on the remainder of the blocks, lots, 238, 242 and 244, over the next ten years.
“This is about ensuring our correctional system in Queensland remains sufficient to accommodate prisoner growth in the future.
“In Queensland, we have a reputation for having the most secure system in the country, and this major project will deliver the latest in state-of-the-art technology for housing offenders, ensuring community safety.”
Minister Schwarten said the State Government had engaged construction company Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd to undertake the building consultancy role for the correctional precinct development project, with the managing contractor for the prison project to be announced early next year.
“The Department of Public Works has completed master planning and schematic design for stage one of the project and is now embarking on more detailed design work,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Baulderstone Hornibrook is recognised for its expertise in the key areas of buildability, market costing and programming, and will provide invaluable input in these areas.
“The company is suitably experienced in undertaking major correctional facilities projects and is currently engaged as managing contractor for the redevelopment of the Townsville Men’s Correctional Centre and the new Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre.
“It will make an enormous contribution to the project at Gatton as we move towards the start of early works on the Spring Creek site in the first half of 2008. We expect to commence major works on site about the middle of next year, with completion of Stage 1 scheduled for 2011.
“Sustainability will be a key factor in the construction process, with efforts to minimise the use of drinkable water to include collecting and reusing rain and waste water, monitoring major water use, controlling supply to secure areas, and using water efficient fixtures and cooling systems, as well as drought-tolerant landscaping.”
Ms Spence said the infrastructure set to be built would take up only 15% of the total land procured.
“This use of the land will maximise the buffer between the individual male and female centres and immediate residential neighbours to the site,” Ms Spence said.
“The prisons will also be able to be set back from the road, behind the tree line, within a fully fenced perimeter.
“All buildings will be low level, with only accommodation blocks and Gatehouses up to two stories.
“Initially, the precinct will provide employment for 380 staff, increasing to 1,750 as the infrastructure grows. These jobs will be across the full range of correctional services delivery, including custodial officers, administration staff, programs and education teachers and trade instructors.
“During construction and up to 2015, the trade value to the local area is estimated to be in excess of $375 million.
“This government has embarked upon broad community consultation in the planning of this project and we will continue to work with the local community, which for the most part has welcomed this major project, which will see more jobs created and resources delivered to the Gatton area.”
The attached map identifies the proposed positioning of the new male and female correctional centres, on the procured land.
Media Contact: Minister Spence’s Office: 3239 6218
Minister Schwarten’s Office: 3237 1184