Public Works Committee: Mount Gambier Prison Expansion

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (11:54): I move:

That the 550^th report of the committee, entitled 'Proposal to expand Mount Gambier Prison—additional 112 beds', be noted.

Mount Gambier Prison currently accommodates 453 low and medium security prisoners. It is situated approximately 19 kilometres west of Mount Gambier and it is surrounded by agricultural land. This project will see the prison expand to accommodate a further 112 low and medium security prisoners. The works will include the construction of five two-storey accommodation blocks that will each incorporate four independent living units. There will also be a new support building, comprising an officers' station, multifunctional programs, education rooms and indoor recreation space.

This accommodation layout mirrors the model used in the recently completed expansion at Mount Gambier Prison and the current expansion that is occurring at Port Augusta Prison. In this model, the accommodation blocks are built around a central courtyard that allows prison officers to visually monitor all the accommodation blocks and yards simultaneously from their officers' station, which is part of the circumference of the complex. It is a more efficient approach to the ongoing monitoring and management of prisoners.

Other works to be undertaken as part of the project are a refit of the existing administration building for a new visitor centre, with the existing visitor centre refitted to incorporate new medical facilities and videoconferencing. There will also be an expansion of the prison industries building and an upgrade to the electronic security infrastructure to bring it into line with the other correctional facilities in South Australia.

The total cost of this project is $58.2 million, exclusive of GST. Initial early works have already commenced, with construction due to commence by November this year. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2018. Consultation has occurred with the local community and the District Council of Grant. Individual discussions have also occurred with the owner of the property that abuts the prison, and this will continue throughout the project. There have been some concerns raised about the security classification of the prisoners to be accommodated at the prison.

The department has confirmed that the additional prisoners would also be low and medium security prisoners. Changing the classification of prisoners accommodated at Mount Gambier Prison would require significant and substantial changes to the operations of the prison, including what programs are presented at the prison and the accommodation structure. The department is again working with the local council to facilitate local contractor participation in the project works. This was done well quite successfully with the previous expansion of the prison, and it is hoped that it can be replicated with this particular project.

Briefing sessions will occur for potential subcontractors on the parameters of the project and to encourage their participation in tendering for works. I would like to thank the department for presenting the important project to the committee, my fellow committee members, the members for Colton, Torrens, Finniss and Chaffey, and also the committee staff for the time and effort they have put into it. Given this, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (11:58): As a committee member, I listened intently to information about the upgrade of the Mount Gambier Prison. Having visited the last upgrade of the prison, I was somewhat mystified as to how we could have such an upgrade so quickly after the last upgrade.

It is a medium to low security prison. Some of the questions that were raised during the hearing about the prison security fencing included why we have to have high security fencing and whether this was a sign that the prison is now being turned into a high security prison. Those questions were asked of the department. They said, 'Never rule out anything into the future,' when I asked if that potentially meant that it would become a high security prison. Of the 112-bed upgrade, I would be thinking about just exactly how long it will last before the prison is at capacity again. Are we going to see a continual expansion of our prisons? I know there is room for that prison to further expand. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.