Published Tuesday, 07 October, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence: Work begins on prisons of the future at Gatton
Work is set to get underway on the prisons of the future at Gatton this week, with Managing Contractor Baulderstone Horibrook now established on site.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said: “Last Friday, we signed contracts with Baulderstone Hornibrook, appointing them as Managing Contractor for the first stage of this $485 Million infrastructure project,” Ms Spence said.
“Already heavy machinery, including a 110 tonne excavator, is arriving on site, where a workforce of 28 is ready to begin site preparations by the end of this week.
“Within a fortnight, there will be 90 people working on the site.
“The access road is already sealed and site buildings and amenities are now in place, so the community around this 600 hectare precinct can expect to see a lot of action start to take place.
“I am pleased the impact on the environment is also being considered during construction – with solar panels installed on the site buildings to provide power.”
Ms Spence said the first stage of this major project will be the building of a 300 bed women’s prison.
“The women’s prison will be on an 11 hectare site, known locally as the ‘Weaver block’,” Ms Spence said.
“The centre will include 104 secure cells and 196 residential beds including eight beds for mothers and babies and eight beds for women with disabilities.
“This facility will incorporate state-of-the-art digital security to ensure the ongoing safety of the community.
“The completion of the women’s centre, expected in 2011, is anticipated to create about 200 new jobs in a range of roles including custodial officers, programs staff, administration and intelligence.
“Future stages will include a men’s prison, with room for at least two more facilities, with the site having the potential to deliver up to 3000 beds and five prison facilities if necessary.
“This government had the foresight to secure this 600 hectare block of land so we could build the prisons of the future, to ensure we can continue to accommodate growing prisoner populations.
“As we continue to increase the number of police on the streets, and arm them with tough legislation to crack down on criminals; it is inevitable that more people will end up behind bars.
“That is why we are taking action now to secure Tomorrow’s Queensland, by building and planning for the future.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said: “Last Friday, we signed contracts with Baulderstone Hornibrook, appointing them as Managing Contractor for the first stage of this $485 Million infrastructure project,” Ms Spence said.
“Already heavy machinery, including a 110 tonne excavator, is arriving on site, where a workforce of 28 is ready to begin site preparations by the end of this week.
“Within a fortnight, there will be 90 people working on the site.
“The access road is already sealed and site buildings and amenities are now in place, so the community around this 600 hectare precinct can expect to see a lot of action start to take place.
“I am pleased the impact on the environment is also being considered during construction – with solar panels installed on the site buildings to provide power.”
Ms Spence said the first stage of this major project will be the building of a 300 bed women’s prison.
“The women’s prison will be on an 11 hectare site, known locally as the ‘Weaver block’,” Ms Spence said.
“The centre will include 104 secure cells and 196 residential beds including eight beds for mothers and babies and eight beds for women with disabilities.
“This facility will incorporate state-of-the-art digital security to ensure the ongoing safety of the community.
“The completion of the women’s centre, expected in 2011, is anticipated to create about 200 new jobs in a range of roles including custodial officers, programs staff, administration and intelligence.
“Future stages will include a men’s prison, with room for at least two more facilities, with the site having the potential to deliver up to 3000 beds and five prison facilities if necessary.
“This government had the foresight to secure this 600 hectare block of land so we could build the prisons of the future, to ensure we can continue to accommodate growing prisoner populations.
“As we continue to increase the number of police on the streets, and arm them with tough legislation to crack down on criminals; it is inevitable that more people will end up behind bars.
“That is why we are taking action now to secure Tomorrow’s Queensland, by building and planning for the future.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172