By Alesha Capone
Construction of the $288 million youth justice centre in Cherry Creek, west of Werribee, is set to begin later this year.
The state government last week announced that John Holland would act as the project’s managing contractor.
The Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos said the youth justice facility would include an intensive supervision unit, 224 beds for remand and sentenced clients, and a mental health unit.
Ms Mikakos said the project was expected to create between 2000 and 3000 direct and indirect construction and related jobs, and that steel milled in Australia or New Zealand would be used during the construction process.
She said the youth justice centre would also bring about 450 ongoing jobs to the Wyndham area, with a range of roles available including custodial and administration staff, psychologists, teachers, cleaners, gardeners and facility managers.
Ms Mikakos said the project’s construction would be required to use at least 90 per cent “local” (defined as from Australia or New Zealand) materials and content, under the state government’s Local Jobs First Policy.
She said that in addition, apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets would make up at least 10 per cent of total labour hours on the justice facility’s construction.
“This is going to be a state-of-the-art, high security, rehabilitative complex that is a major part of our overhaul of the Victorian youth justice system,” Ms Mikakos said.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said the new youth justice centre would put Wyndham “on the cusp of a boom for our community’s local businesses, reflecting the confidence in the region”.
Businesses interested in receiving updates on job opportunities related to the youth justice centre can register with the Industry Capability Network at www.icnvic.org.au.
