A new Lara prison will deliver a $173 million constuction windfall and 650 ongoing jobs for greater Geelong, according to State Government estimates.
The construction of the jail would create hundreds of additional direct and indirect jobs in manufacturing, building and engineering, according to Lara MP John Eren.
“The new prison will provide a huge boost to the local Geelong economy, with hundreds of jobs during construction and 650 ongoing positions once the facility is operational,” he said on Tuesday.
State Government has scheduled construction of the 700-bed maximum security prison to begin early next year.
Once complete the prison will create jobs for prison officers, psychologists, teachers, administrators, maintenance workers and allied health professionals.
Businesses in Geelong could bid to supply goods and services during construction, Mr Eren said.
Local companies could also apply to provide services to staff working at the jail and visitors once construction had finished, he said.
He encouraged local businesses to visit the Industry Capability Network website to register their interest in supporting the project.
State Government has listed the jail construction at gateway.icn.org.au under ‘Prison Expansion Project.’
Prison numbers are currently the highest on record with more than 7200 people behind bars in Victoria by 30 March, according to ABS statistics.
The government’s police recruitment, population growth and “tougher sentencing and bail laws” had caused prison numbers to increase, Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney said.
State Government has estimated Victoria’s prison population will continue to expand.
“We’re keeping our state safe, by investing in a strong and secure prison system,” Ms Teirney said.
“The new prison is also part of ongoing and long-term planning to ensure the prison system is safe, secure, and well equipped to meet demand.”
Locals could visit engage.vic.gov.au/laraprison for more information about the project or sign up to the mailing list, Ms Teirney said.
The Andrews government committed $689.5 million in the 2018/19 State Budget to build the jail, which it says will open in 2022.
