THE halfway point has been reached for the Bathurst Correctional Centre expansion project.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Once completed, the major upgrade will deliver an addition 220 maximum-security beds to the jail.
Construction commenced in August 2018, with the work being carried out by Hansen Yuncken. There are up to 150 contractors on site each day.
Looking at the site of the expansion from Browning Street, its quite incredible to see how much progress has been made on what was vacant land just 10 months ago.
The project will not only create additional cells, but will also deliver a range of other buildings to assist in the day to day running of the prison.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
Stage one has already been completed and included the kitchen and laundry building, bulk store building and grounds maintenance building.
Justice Infrastructure and Assets senior project manager James Smith said that the industry building was nearing completion.
"That is what we call a 'ready for lock-up', so the roof is the next part of the works and then they'll close it up," he said.
Also coming up quite quickly is one of the two cell blocks, which all up will deliver the additional 220 beds.
Mr Smith said that there will be 55 inmates on each side of the cell block, who will have access to a central recreation space.
An officers' post is positioned in the middle and oversees both sides of the building, as well as the inmates' outdoor exercise area.
The secure cells will provide inmates with only the most basic of amenities.
"You've got two beds; they are twin share," Mr Smith said.
"You've got a toilet and shower ... some storage, desk and a TV set.
"They've got their own security above the beds, so if they get ill they can call for help."
There were 80 cells installed in November, while a further 80 were installed just last month.
The cell blocks will be complete before the end of the year, while construction on the overall project is scheduled to be complete by May next year.
The NSW Government is investing $110 million to expand Bathurst Correctional Centre as part of a broader $3.8 billion prison infrastructure plan.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said it was an important investment that will meet the needs of the facility.
He was pleased to see the project taking shape as it reaches the halfway point.
"Progress is on time and it's on budget," he said.
"It is pretty exciting to see, when you go on site, the enormity of the project."
Do you love Bathurst news?
- Sign up now for our free morning headlines and breaking news emails