Mrs BRAHAM - 1995-05-23
The new Alice Springs Prison is one of the most significant construction projects undertaken in Alice Springs in recent years. Have local businesses been able to secure a share of the construction contracts?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. The new Alice Springs Prison is a most significant project for Alice Springs, not only in terms of the cost of its construction but in terms of improving greatly the standard of prisons in the Northern Territory generally, let alone in central Australia. As I have said previously in this place, the project will cost in the order of $27m, which includes the security measures and fit-out costs. The facility is expected to open for use in late November this year. It has been designed to hold approximately 220 prisoners, with the capacity for this to be increased to more than 400, if need be, by double-bunking. As well, it will meet all relevant recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Mr Ede: Within budget?
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr POOLE: I am pleased to advise members that Alice Springs businesses have succeeded in winning contracts totalling more than $19.3m in the construction phase of this project. To date, the contracts have employed an estimated 200 to 250 people at the height of construction work. Fitting out the new facility will involve also the expenditure of approximately $1.5m through Alice Springs suppliers. This combination of construction and fit-out contracts, combined with the flow-on employment, has resulted in a very significant boost to the Alice Springs economy over the life of the project.
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When the prison becomes operational, continued benefits will be experienced through an increase in prison staff based in Alice Springs. Obviously, as we move from a prison that has a capacity of 125 to a prison with a capacity of 200-plus, more prison officers will be required. A prison officer recruit course, aimed particularly at attracting people who are living and working in the Alice Springs area, will begin this August. The other significant benefit will be the replacement of an aged, crowded and inadequate jail in the centre of Alice Springs with this modern high-security complex some 23 km out of the town. I can assure members that the new facility is extremely impressive now that much of the external construction has been completed. I have been visiting the jail very regularly to look at the progress made, and I encourage all members to contact my office or the Department of Correctional Services when next they travel to Alice Springs to arrange to take the opportunity to make a tour of the construction site.
Page 579
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. The new Alice Springs Prison is a most significant project for Alice Springs, not only in terms of the cost of its construction but in terms of improving greatly the standard of prisons in the Northern Territory generally, let alone in central Australia. As I have said previously in this place, the project will cost in the order of $27m, which includes the security measures and fit-out costs. The facility is expected to open for use in late November this year. It has been designed to hold approximately 220 prisoners, with the capacity for this to be increased to more than 400, if need be, by double-bunking. As well, it will meet all relevant recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Mr Ede: Within budget?
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr POOLE: I am pleased to advise members that Alice Springs businesses have succeeded in winning contracts totalling more than $19.3m in the construction phase of this project. To date, the contracts have employed an estimated 200 to 250 people at the height of construction work. Fitting out the new facility will involve also the expenditure of approximately $1.5m through Alice Springs suppliers. This combination of construction and fit-out contracts, combined with the flow-on employment, has resulted in a very significant boost to the Alice Springs economy over the life of the project.
Page 578
When the prison becomes operational, continued benefits will be experienced through an increase in prison staff based in Alice Springs. Obviously, as we move from a prison that has a capacity of 125 to a prison with a capacity of 200-plus, more prison officers will be required. A prison officer recruit course, aimed particularly at attracting people who are living and working in the Alice Springs area, will begin this August. The other significant benefit will be the replacement of an aged, crowded and inadequate jail in the centre of Alice Springs with this modern high-security complex some 23 km out of the town. I can assure members that the new facility is extremely impressive now that much of the external construction has been completed. I have been visiting the jail very regularly to look at the progress made, and I encourage all members to contact my office or the Department of Correctional Services when next they travel to Alice Springs to arrange to take the opportunity to make a tour of the construction site.
Page 579
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016