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$149m SA Yatala Labour Prison redevelopment to create 300 local jobs

Written by Monica Gameng | Jan 29, 2020 2:00:00 PM

Major construction to upgrade South Australia’s largest metropolitan prison, the Yatala Labour Prison in Northfield, is one step closer to commencing as Request for Tenders for the main works package is released to market.

The State Government is anticipating works will create up to 100 local jobs once works begin and will increase to approximately 300 jobs during peak construction period.

“We estimate the main stage of the project will employ another 200 or so local contractors at its peak.

“That means more than 300 people will have been employed to work on the entire redevelopment,” Minister for Correctional Services Corey Wingard said.

The $149 million Yatala Labour Prison redevelopment will include the construction and commissioning of 270 high-security beds as well as critical supporting infrastructure at the prison site.

Early works have commenced on a carpark, business centre and staff training and wellbeing centre. Works are due for completion by the end of 2020.

“Local construction company SARAH Construction won the tender for the early works part of the project.

“Already they have brought on around 20 local workers, with another 80 jobs estimated to be created at the peak of the early works project,” Minister Wingard said.

On the other hand, main works will deliver the secure accommodation units, perimeter fencing, visits/admissions building and kitchen building.

“The benefits of this redevelopment are two-fold - helping to improve our State’s biggest metropolitan prison, while also employing a significant number of local contractors,” Minister Wingard said.

This project will not only create jobs for South Australians, but it will also support the State Government’s commitment to improving South Australia’s public prison system as well as strengthen security and drive down reoffending rate.

The entire redevelopment is due to be completed in April 2022.

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Source: Government of South Australia; Inside Construction