Hawkins consortium wins prison job

Auckland-based Hawkins Construction is part of a consortium that has won a contract to build a prison under a public-private partnership in Victoria.

Other companies in the Aegis Correctional Partnership to deliver and maintain the 350-bed expansion of Ararat Prison are Bilfinger Berger, the Commonwealth Bank, St Hilliers Contracting, and Programmed Facility Management.

The A$405 million ($500 million) project is the first Victorian social infrastructure to be built under National PPP Guidelines approved by the council or Australia governments.

Announcing the selection of Aegis, Victorian Corrections Minister Bob Cameron said the private partner would carry the financial, design, construction and building maintenance responsibilities and risks.

Corrections Victoria would provide correctional services and operate the facility.

Construction at Ararat, 240km northwest of Melbourne, is expected to start in the second half of the year, with completion due at the end of 2012.

Hawkins chief executive Chris Hunter said the company was excited to see the Government in this country pushing ahead with PPPs.

"We are committed to participating in this developing market, which will generate real opportunity to New Zealand to deliver better public services but with a long-term focus on value for money," he said.

Hawkins had established a dedicated team regarding the proposed new prison at Wiri, which the Government announced it intended would be a PPP.

- NZPA