Works at Cherry Creek Youth Justice Centre Project have surpassed a major milestone, with one million labour hours now completed, as work on site reaches its peak.

A record 100,000 work hours were completed in August prior to the construction shutdown, and the project has bounced back in October, with more than 500 workers now at the site west of Werribee each day.

The recent milestones have been attained with extensive COVID safety measures in place, including physical distancing, personal protective equipment for all workers, and temperature sensors at entry gates.

Further strict COVID measures remain in place, with stringent requirements for break rooms and shared facilities, regular safety reviews, and all staff providing evidence of two vaccination doses to gain entry to the site.

Work currently underway includes the fit-out of the site’s 35 buildings, and finalising facade and roofing works across the future facility’s kitchen, spiritual and visitor areas.

Cadets, trainees, and apprentices have now completed 100,000 hours’ work on the project, with 93 per cent local materials and labour being used in construction.

In addition to workers directly employed on the project, a range of ongoing jobs will be created to operate the new facility, with roles including youth justice custodial officers, psychologists, teachers, health workers and administrative and maintenance staff.

The 140-bed facility at Cherry Creek is being purpose-built to deliver on key staff safety and security recommendations from reviews into existing youth justice infrastructure, and includes dedicated alcohol and drug treatment units, mental health beds and an intensive intervention unit.

The facility will also deliver programs aimed at breaking cycles of offending at a dedicated education and vocational training campus on site.

Construction is being overseen by the Community Safety Building Authority, which delivers infrastructure on behalf of the Department of Justice and Community Safety.