Expansion of Mid North Coast Correctional Centre reaches halfway mark | Photos

Minister for Corrections David Elliott and Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey today toured the construction site at Aldavilla, part of the NSW Government’s $3.8 billion prison infrastructure program.

"After the completion, 90 jobs will be created for people in the area. This expansion really is a win for the local community and for Corrective Services," Ms Pavey said.

"Having local people employed here is the goal, it will be a boost for the area."

The expansion consists of four accommodation blocks, each with 110 beds, allowing the centre to accommodate an additional 440 male inmates. 

Director Custodial Corrections Glen Scholes said the positions available at the completion of the upgrade will first be offered to locals. 

"We will be exhausting the local applicants first before opening it up to other areas to fill the positions," he said.

"The local recruitment will be starting in the next few months before the completion of the expansion towards the end of the year."

The expansion is being constructed by Watpac Construction Port Macquarie Branch, whose workforce include about 70 per cent from the Kempsey region.

Mr Elliott said investing in regional areas is something he has been focusing on as Minister for Corrections.

"Any investment in regional areas is beneficial to tax payers, it has been a focus of mine to make this happen," he said.

"Kempsey is situated in the area where we are seeing population growth and this expansion will create more job opportunities for locals as well as adding to a state of the art facility."

During the past 12 months nine new buildings, including accommodation wings have been installed, about 900 metres of secure perimeter fencing has been erected and 320 modular-cells were installed in a record 36 days.

The completion of the expansion is scheduled for the end of the year.

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