John Holland Consortium To Construct New Melbourne Prison

The project involves the design, construction, finance, operation and maintenance of a prison that has capacity for 1000 medium security male prisoners and the design, construction, finance and maintenance of a Statewide Services Building.

The prison was originally announced as a 500-bed facility before the government announced last year that the development was to double in size.

Development will cost a total of $670 million and is scheduled to commence in early 2015 with completion in late 2017 - contract execution expected later this year.

Leighton Holdings Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marcelino Fernández Verdes

said this was an example of the opportunities that are expected in the Australian engineering construction market during the next five years, driven by population growth, increased government funding and greater private sector financing.

“We are already seeing evidence of the impact of these growth drivers, with the Leighton Group’s 12 month tender pipeline now significantly larger than the equivalent pipeline six months ago,” Mr Fernández said.

John Holland Managing Director Glenn Palin

said John Holland was committed to constructing infrastructure that would benefit society.

Mr Palin said the prison was a major milestone in the government’s commitment to build a safer Victoria by increasing the capacity and amenity of Victoria’s prison system.

“John Holland has long been responsible for constructing social infrastructure, from prisons to hospitals to schools,” Mr Palin.

The site is adjacent to the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Metropolitan Remand Centre.

Other facilities include a 75-bed specialist forensic mental health unit and enhanced pre and post-release programs and services to reduce reoffending.

Minister for Corrections Edward O’Donohue

 said that the Napthine Government is continuing to drive the largest prison expansion in the state’s history to support the growing prisoner population.

“Since the start of 2011, more than 1,500 new beds have opened throughout the Victorian prison system, with more than 2,600 beds now in the pipeline,” Mr O’Donohue said.