Western Plains Correctional Centre

Barwon Prison Precinct, Barwon South West

Construction overview

The $1.119 billion project to construct the new Western Plains Correctional Centre has been delivered ahead of time and under budget, despite the significant challenges presented by the pandemic.

Construction workers completed a total of 4.5 million hours on site during the project, with additional work completed in off-site production and manufacturing. The project maximised the use of local businesses and suppliers, and surpassed targets for Aboriginal employment and engagement of cadets, trainees, and apprentices.

Working with the head contractor, Western Plains also exceeded its ambitious $16.3 million social procurement target, providing meaningful employment opportunities for disadvantaged Victorians.

Facility overview

The 1248-bed facility includes a number of administration, accommodation, health and prison industry buildings and will offer programs designed to reduce the risk of prisoners reoffending, maximise their chances of successful reintegration back into the community and keep staff safe.

The site has now been handed over from CSBA to Corrections Victoria to maintain and secure.

Timeline

November 2022

Construction completed
October 2020

Main works commenced
February 2020

Construction commenced

Budget

$1.119 billion

4.5m

Work hours completed during project

92%

Local content used during construction

300,000

Work hours allocated to apprentices, trainees & cadets

Sustainability reporting

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Infrastructure sustainability targets

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is using the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia’s infrastructure sustainability rating scheme for Western Plains Correctional Centre. The project was known as the Chisholm Road Prison Project.

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia defines Infrastructure Sustainability as infrastructure that is designed, constructed and operated to optimise environmental, social and economic outcomes of the long term.

The Council’s infrastructure sustainability rating scheme was used to evaluate sustainability across the design and construction of the project.

In February 2019, the Community Advisory Group provided input into the ratings through a workshop which has informed the below targets:

View sustainability targets.

Sustainability target update 2020-21

Significant progress was made towards meeting or exceeding sustainability targets for the project in 2020-21, including:

A 15% reduction in grid energy consumption for the project compared to standard practice
A 49% reduction in water consumption compared to standard practice
A 92% local content requirement for materials and labour.

Additional sustainability goals for the project included actions to protect and enhance local biodiversity and minimise the impact of artificial lighting and noise near the project site.

For more information on sustainability targets see below:

Sustainability target update.