Earthworks under way at Waikeria

Preparatory work has begun at the Waikeria prison site in the King Country, even though the Government has still not decided if it will go ahead with the expansion.

In 2016, National announced that Waikeria would become the country’s largest prison, increasing its capacity from 650 to, eventually, 3000 beds. It wanted to complete a 1500-bed expansion by 2021.

However, Labour put that decision on hold after the 2017 election.

The National government had planned to spend $1 billion on 1800 new prison beds. These included a 1500-bed expansion at Waikeria, extra beds at Northland’s Ngawha Prison, and a new 245-bed block at Mt Eden Corrections Facility.

Last Wednesday, Justice Minister Andrew Little said a decision on the ‘‘mega prison’’ would be made public within a few weeks.

The Corrections Department said despite putting the expansion decision on ice, the Government agreed for some preparatory work to continue at Waikeria.

There has also been some other work undertaken while National was still in government.

‘‘As a result of the Environment Court hearing into the proposed redevelopment ... the court imposed conditions requiring Corrections to undertake upgrades and safety work to the road leading to the prison,’’ its spokesperson said.

‘‘These improvements also included a widening of a single-lane bridge. This work was [to be] undertaken regardless of whether the build went ahead or not.’’