By Alesha Capone
Construction on the future Cherry Creek youth justice facility has reached a major milestone, with more than one million labour hours completed on the project.
The $419 million youth justice centre, located about 11 kilometres from the Werribee train station and 1.5 kilometres north-east of where Little River Road joins the Princes Freeway, is expected to open in 2022.
The 140-bed youth facility will include a mental health unit, an intensive intervention unit, a specialised health care unit and an intensive alcohol and drug treatment program.
The complex will house teenagers and young adults, including males aged 15-18 years.
According to the state government’s Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020–2030, this will include young people who are on remand and who have been sentenced.
In August, workers completed a total of 100,000 labour hours at the youth justice facility prior to the COVID-19 construction shutdown.
However, more than 500 workers are now back on site with extensive COVIDSafe measures in place, including physical distancing, personal protective equipment for all workers and temperature sensors at entry gates.
Work underway includes the fit-out of the centre’s 35 buildings and facade, and roofing works across its kitchen, spiritual and visitor areas.
Minister for Corrections Natalie Hutchins said “solid progress” was being made towards completing the youth justice facility.
“This facility is a key part of upgrading our youth justice system to boost staff safety and break cycles of offending,” Ms Hutchins said.
“The new facility has dedicated drug and alcohol treatment facilities and on-site classrooms to help young people address their behaviour and learn new skills to successfully transition back into the community.”
About 250 jobs will be created at the Cherry Creek facility, including youth justice custodial officers, psychologists, teachers, health workers and administrative and maintenance staff.
The facility will also have dedicated education and vocational training campus on site.
The primary security barrier for the complex will be a wall, designed to provide both a physical and visual screen between the youth justice centre and the surrounding public area.
Details: csba.vic.gov.au/cherry-creek
