The first sod has been turned on the $70 million Southern Remand Centre project at the Risdon Prison, in Tasmania.
Hazell Brother Group secured the contract for preliminary works, with the managing contractor for the main construction works to be announced soon.
The remand centre is part of the Tasmanian Government’s $350 million infrastructure program to improve the state’s prison system.
More than 130 construction jobs are set to be created by the project, along with 50 ongoing jobs.
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When complete, the 140-bed Southern Remand Centre will increase the capacity of the prison system to provide better conditions for remandees and separate them from the general prison population.
Additionally, a further $9.34 million has been provided to expand and upgrade shared facilities within the Risdon Prison Complex, such as the gatehouse, health centre, visits areas, kitchen and prisoners processing area.
The Tasmanian Government also plans to build a new 270-bed Northern Prison, with the preferred site to be announced soon.