Serco : NorthernPathways win silver best Social Infrastructure Project

NorthernPathways, the consortium chosen to build the New Grafton Correction Centre (NGCC), has won silver in the best Social Infrastructure Project at the inaugural Asia Pacific PPP Awards announced on 30 November.

In winning the award the judges recognised Serco's significant role developing a solution that would deliver significant social and economic returns to the State and the Northern Rivers region including:

• A design solution that reflects the aspirations of the State, supporting a step change in performance across NSW and creating the future hub of the Northern NSW correctional system;
• The delivery of programmes to reduce recidivism, through preparing inmates for reintegration back into the community thereby making communities safer;
• A commitment to partner with local and regional community - NGO's and local business and employees - creating engagement and employment opportunities for inmates;
• The generation of strong economic and social benefits to the local region and the broader NSW community including the injection of $560 million into the local community over the contract term; and
• The creation of 1,100 jobs during construction and 600 jobs once operational.

The award also showcased the strong focus on rehabilitation, design, operations and the commercial process that will deliver significant outcomes for the State. This included encouraging the private sector to focus on reduced reoffending by introducing a bespoke incentive mechanism for payment where the State provides to Northern Pathways incentives should re-incarceration rates of NGCC inmates be below the NSW average across a range of cohorts (including indigenous and non-indigenous male and female inmates).

The award was presented by Rob Ward, Managing Director, Head of Advisory for Australian Structured Finance Office and accepted by NSW Corrections Commissioner Peter Severin (above right) and Serco's Richard Smith (above left).

ENDS