THE private sector is set to play an increasingly major role in providing traditional public infrastructure in Western Australia after the state government named a preferred consortium for the design, construction, financing and maintenance of a $232 million prison in the Goldfields.
The Assure Partners consortium was named as the preferred respondent; its members comprise Capella Capital, Leighton Holdings subsidiary John Holland, local company Pindan Contracting, and Honeywell.
It beat competition from two other short-listed consortia – the Aurum Partnership included Leighton Contractors, Broad Construction and Programmed, while EG PathWAys’ included McConnell Dowell, Spotless, and banking group RBS.
Treasurer Troy Buswell said Assure Partners had submitted a robust proposal that provided innovative design solutions and competitive costings.
“It is expected that negotiations with Assure Partners to work out the finer details will be completed and the contract signed by the end of the year,” he said.
“Delivering the new facility in partnership with the private sector will provide the best value for taxpayers and assist having the new facility built on budget and on time.”
While the private sector will be responsible for the construction and maintenance of the prison, the Department of Corrective Services will provide all operational services.
The facility will have 350 beds across all security levels, replacing the smaller Kalgoorlie-Boulder facility.
The Goldfields prison project will be the fourth public-private partnership delivered by the Barnett government.
Capella Capital is already active in the WA market, as a member of the Capella Parking consortium that has been contracted to build, own and operate new multi-storey car parks at the QEII Medical Centre, at a cost of $140 million.
Other members of that consortium are ProBuild and car park operator Ezipark.
St John of God Health Care, in partnership with builder Brookfield Multiplex, won the contract to build and run the Midland Health Campus.
Last year, the government named the Helena Water consortium as the successful bidder for a new $300 million water treatment plant at Mundaring.
The consortium comprises the Royal Bank of Scotland, Spanish water company Acciona Agua, Mitsubishi Corp subsidiary United Utilities Australia, and Brookfield Multiplex.
Engineering consultant GHD is the design partner.
Corrective Services Minister Murray Cowper said the new complex would improve the overall level of custodial services in the Goldfields region.
“The new prison will deliver dramatic improvements in working and living conditions for both staff and prisoners, providing a replacement for the existing Goldfields prison that is in poor condition,” he said.
“The facility will also bring significant economic benefits to the Goldfields region.”
