Secure facility to be built next to Hopkins Correctional Centre

Ararat Rural City Council will work closely with the State Government’s Corrections Department to oversee the construction of the 20-bed secure facility.

Minister for Corrections Gayle Tierney visited Ararat this week, where she met with Ararat Rural City Council representatives, Victoria Police and members of the community who have been consulted on the decision.

Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Paul Hooper said the new facility would provide an economic benefit to Ararat, which will start with up to 100 jobs during construction, to begin in the second half of this year.

“Once this facility is built it will also mean a further 50 high-paid, full-time, long-term jobs in our community,” Cr Hooper said.

“The corrections industry is our biggest employer and this is a further boost for those looking for a stable career and further opportunity.

“This will be a very secure facility and will actually increase the safety of our community by creating an alternative option for the courts to use for people who have completed their sentence, rather than the only option being the lower security facility at Corella Place.

“No one should be concerned at the security of this facility, just as they aren’t with the high security Hopkins Correctional Centre provides.”

A new community advisory group, which will include members of Council and community, Corrections Victoria and Victoria Police will also be set up to spearhead consultation with the local community.

“Council have lobbied for many years to get to this point and on behalf of the Ararat Rural City I want to thank the State Government for enhancing the economics of our city by deciding to put the facility here,” Cr Hooper said.

The secure 20-bed facility is due to open by the end of 2018.