Prisoners learn valuable skills on new section of South-West heritage trail
Corrective Services Minister Margaret Quirk will today officially open the newest section of a major heritage trail in the State's South-West. In opening the Hay River to Denmark section of the Denmark to Nornalup Heritage Rail Trail, Ms Quirk said staff and prisoners from the Walpole Work Camp had played a vital role in the project by providing an estimated 11,000 hours of work valued at $162,600. "I am very pleased with the efforts of the Walpole Work Camp staff and prisoners," she said.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Corrective Services Minister Margaret Quirk will today officially open the newest section of a major heritage trail in the State’s South-West.
In opening the Hay River to Denmark section of the Denmark to Nornalup Heritage Rail Trail, Ms Quirk said staff and prisoners from the Walpole Work Camp had played a vital role in the project by providing an estimated 11,000 hours of work valued at $162,600.
“I am very pleased with the efforts of the Walpole Work Camp staff and prisoners,” she said.
“Reparation is a cornerstone of Corrective Services in Western Australia and to be involved in a project of such historical importance is a gratifying way for these offenders to be giving something back to the community.
“The skills prisoners have acquired on this project will also assist them in gaining meaningful employment on their release from prison, which is a major contributing factor in helping them lead crime-free lives in the future.
“In addition to learning how to work in a team and develop a work ethic, the prisoners have also learnt skills including operation of small machinery and tools, fencing, building of retaining walls and construction of bridges and culverts.”
The Minister paid tribute to the role of Green Skills for their vision, planning and hard work in bringing the project to fruition and the support provided to them by the Shire of Denmark.
Since the project was launched in 2002, the Walpole Work Camp prisoners have completed an impressive amount of work, including:
clearing 62km of rail reserve and general maintenance; constructing six kilometres of fencing; reconstruction of seven rail bridges, crossovers and associated retaining walls; installation of six culverts; and painting, construction and installation of hundreds of interpretive, directional, safety and warning signs. Albany Regional Prison’s industrial workshop also contributed to the project with the construction and routing of many of the timber signs.
Early last century the railway was a major form of transport for primary and forestry producers and connected agricultural and timber towns in the South-West.
Ms Quirk said there was still another 14km of trail between the Kent and Bow Rivers to be completed, including the construction of three large bridges.
“I am certain the relationship between the Walpole Work Camp and Green Skills will continue through to the successful completion of the project in Nornalup in 2008,” she said.
The Denmark to Nornalup Heritage Rail Trail is used for walking, cycling and horse riding.
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