The State Government is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from the private sector to design, construct, finance and maintain the Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison Redevelopment Project, which is set to open in 2015.
The new $232million, mixed gender facility will provide 350 beds across all security levels, replacing the existing outdated Kalgoorlie-Boulder facility.
Releasing the EOI today Treasurer Christian Porter said this project would be the fourth Public Private Partnership (PPP) currently under procurement, joining the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre Car Park, the Mundaring Water Treatment Plant and the Midland Health Campus.
Mr Porter said today's announcement was further evidence of the Government's commitment to implement a pipeline of PPP projects when they offer value-for-money and are in the public interest.
"Completion of the new facility is due in 2015, subject to a staged building process," Mr Porter said.
"Delivering the new facility in partnership with the private sector is expected to provide the best value for taxpayers and will assist the new facility to be built on budget and on time.
"Under the partnership, a contract will be entered into with a private sector contractor for the design, construction and financing of the facility.
"Once construction is complete, the Department of Corrective Services will effectively 'move in' to provide all operational services for the prison, while ongoing maintenance of the buildings will remain the responsibility of the contractor."
Corrective Services Minister Terry Redman said the new complex would provide a net increase of 250 beds and improve the overall level of custodial services in the Goldfields region.
"It will also ensure offenders can remain 'in country' and be close to family and other kinds of support," Mr Redman said.
"The new prison will deliver dramatic improvements in working and living conditions for both staff and prisoners, providing a replacement for the existing, significantly overcrowded Goldfields prison that is in poor condition - a result of years of neglect by the previous Labor government.
"The facility will also bring significant economic benefits to the Goldfields region, particularly through increased local employment opportunities, both in the construction and operational phases of the project."
Treasurer's office - 9222 8800
Corrective Services Minister's office - 9213 6700
