Barwon Maximum Security Prison

Woolacotts Consulting Engineers has completed the structural and civil design of two upgrade and expansion projects worth $35 million at HM Barwon Prison near Geelong in Victoria.

The Banksia Unit is an operating management unit primarily used to accommodate short- and long-term prisoners.

Woolacotts was engaged by Perumal Pedavoli Architects on behalf of Corrections Victoria for the Banksia Unit upgrade project. The unit is being upgraded and refurbished to ease the pressure on the existing prison system and provide greater flexibility and capacity to accommodate the increasing prisoner population.

The works involved will include demolition, reconfiguration and upgrade of eight existing exercise yards, creation of 17 additional exercise yards, new secure staff and visitor egress with high security level barrier control, upgraded security, refurbishment of staff amenities, a new multipurpose space, covered walkways to access exercise yards and new secure fencing and gates.

New high security unit

A new separate unit is being designed and built outside the existing prison walls to provide 40 maximum security beds.

The single-Storey unit will contain maximum security accommodation, sterile zones, a new perimeter fence, exercise yards, multipurpose use areas, staff amenities and landscaping.

The upgrade will consider access needs, security controls, assess existing infrastructure, ESD, buildability and future expansion requirements.

Featured above: The Banksia Unit, HM Barwon Prison