Question - Risdon Prison Kitchen Renovation

Tuesday 8 September 2026

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY

[2.42 p.m.]

By way of background, the Public Works Committee approved the construction of a new replacement kitchen, including a bakery, at the Risden Prison Complex. This was at an estimated cost of $18.77 million for the project in total and commissioning was to occur in December 2025. Can the honourable Leader please advise:

(1)     What was the total cost of this project, did it meet the projected cost of $18.77 million or were there any cost blowouts?

(2)     Can the Leader please confirm the name of the company who was awarded the contract to undertake this project.

(3)     Can the Leader advise did this project go out to tender, and if not, why not?

(4)     Can the Leader confirm that the kitchen and bakery flooring used an incorrect mix of aggregate that could not handle daily wear and tear, resulting in the facility needing to be shut down and the floor repaired. If not, what is the reason the floor needed to be replaced?

(5)     Can the Leader confirm that the repairs will be covered under the defects liability period and provide a period of time for this rectification works to be undertaken.

(6)     Can the Leader confirm that meals for the prison inmates are being shipped in from Victoria or elsewhere and provide the weekly cost of meals and shipping to the prison.

(7)     Can the Leader advise when this commenced and the cost to date.

(8)     Can the Leader advise why the meals are not being sourced from Tasmania and the name and location of the company they're being sourced from.

(9)     Can the Leader advise who is paying for the meals to be provided from the mainland, including, obviously, shipping.

(10)   If it's being funded by the prison services or the Tasmanian government, why isn't the contractor responsible for payment of these meals?

(11)   Has the wellbeing of any prisoners been impacted, such as reduced or no kitchen work?

(12)   If the answer to (11) is yes, what is being done to reduce these impacts?

ANSWER

Thank you, Mr President, and I acknowledge the honourable member's questions.

(1)          The $18.77 million figure presented to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Public Works was a pre‑construction cost estimate, rather than the final approved project budget.

Total project expenditure to date is approximately $23.49 million. This includes the construction contract as well as site investigations, design and consultant fees, specialist kitchen and security advice, quantity surveying, building surveying and departmental project management costs. The project remains in the defects liability period and has not yet been financially closed, so a final project cost is not currently available. The increase above the preconstruction estimate is primarily attributable to construction market escalation, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, and broader cost pressures experienced across the building industry during the project's procurement and delivery. The project's scope also included necessary service and security infrastructure upgrades.

(2)          Hansen Yuncken was engaged as the head contractor for the delivery of the construction of the new Risdon Prison kitchen project. Xsquared Architects were appointed as the lead architectural consultants, including superintendent services for the construction, commissioning and defects liability project period of the project.

(3)          No, the project did not proceed to an open tender. An exemption from open tender was approved in accordance with the Treasurer's Instructions to enable Hansen Yuncken to undertake the works. Hansen Yuncken was already engaged to deliver the broader Southern Remand Centre and Risdon Prison Complex upgrade program, and had completed significant investigation, briefing and design work for the kitchen before it was removed from the original scope due to budget constraints. Engaging the existing contractor avoided duplication of costs, reduced interface and site coordination risks and supported continuity and value for money.

(4)          No, the issue was not caused by an incorrect aggregate mix, but by the subcontractor's application of the specified epoxy flooring system. Independent testing confirmed that the installed flooring did not achieve the specified P5 slip-resistance rating. The facility has been temporarily closed to allow rectification works to be undertaken. The flooring does not require full replacement. A component of the epoxy system requires reapplication to achieve the specified slip-resistance rating.

(5)          The Attorney‑General is advised that the contractor has accepted fault for the flooring not achieving the required slip-rating and is required to rectify the issue at their expense. The proposed schedule of works from the contractor for rectification of the epoxy flooring lists mid-September as the timeframe for the floor to be fixed.

(6)          Alternative catering arrangements have been implemented to ensure uninterrupted meal services for prisoners and detainees. A combination of mostly Tasmanian and one interstate supplier is currently being used. Following market testing, Victorian-based supplier Dynamic has been engaged to provide packaged evening meals only, while a number of Tasmanian businesses, including Custom Catering, Moonah; Launceston Catering Company; and PFD Food Services, are supplying other meals and services. Following the closure of the kitchen to enable rectification works, the department established three new catering contracts to the value of $1,035,072. Once the rectification is complete and the kitchen operational, the department will establish the final total of additional costs incurred as a result of the fault and seek reimbursement in line with the contract.

(7)          Kitchen operations ceased in the new kitchen and the facility was fully vacated on 10 July 2026. Following the closure of the kitchen to enable rectification works, the department established three new catering contracts to the value of the $1.035072 million. Once the rectification is complete and the kitchen operational, the department will establish the final total of additional cost incurred as a result of the fault and seek reimbursement in line with the contract.

(8)          The Tasmania Prison Service undertook extensive market testing of local suppliers. While a number of Tasmanian businesses have been engaged, no local provider was able to reliably meet the full requirement for the number of individually packaged evening meals per day, while also meeting operational, dietary, food safety and logistical requirements. As a result, Dynamic, a Victorian based supplier, was engaged to provide packaged evening meals. This decision was made only after local market testing demonstrated that no Tasmanian supplier could meet the full requirements.

(9)          The Tasmania Prison Service is currently funding the alternative catering arrangements to ensure continuity of prisoner's meal services. However, the minister's department expects to recoup all costs that have been incurred as a result of the kitchen needing to be closed to rectify defects associated with the building works.

(10)      Under the contract, the department expects to recoup all costs that have been incurred as a result of the kitchen needing to be closed again to rectify defects associated with the building works.

(11)      The temporary closure of the new kitchen facility has resulted in a reduction in prisoner employment opportunities, with fewer labour resources required under the alternative catering arrangements. However, prisoner employment continues within the existing kitchen facility including the heating of pre-packaged meals, preparation of dietary meals and breakfast packaging activities. In deciding to temporarily close the new kitchen, the health, safety and well-being of prisoners, staff and visitors remained a primary consideration until rectification works could be undertaken. Prisoners unable to continue their normal employment at this time have not been disadvantaged in terms of weekly payments they receive.

(12)      The Tasmania Prison Service has implemented alternative catering arrangements to ensure prisoner meals services continue to be provided in accordance with the dietary, nutritional and food safety requirements. While prisoner employment opportunities have reduced during the temporary closure, some work activities continue within the existing kitchen facility. The department continues to monitor the operational and welfare impacts of the closure and will seek to maximise prisoner participation in meaningful work activities where practicable while rectification works are progressed.