Alice Springs Youth Justice Centre

Client

Northern Territory Government

Location

Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Sector

Justice

Partner

Bennett Design Pty Ltd

Services

Structural & Civil

Project overview

Modern building with wide overhanging roof, landscaped entry path, and trees in the foreground.

ADG partnered with Bennett Design to deliver the Alice Springs Youth Justice Centre, a flagship development representing a new era in youth justice infrastructure across the Northern Territory.

From refurbishing existing infrastructure to designing new buildings within the secure facility, ADG’s role focussed on balancing innovative engineering with complex stakeholder and security requirements. Emphasis was placed on developing efficient surface drainage systems where underground options were restricted, ensuring a resilient and secure site that met the NT Government’s priorities for safety and functionality.

$13

MILLION

PROJECT VALUE

4

NEW BUILDINGS

50

Years

COMBINED TEAM EXPERIENCE

"By working collaboratively with Bennett Design, we delivered an innovative, fit-for-purpose solution without sacrificing vital design and safety constraints."

Brian Loughlin

ADG Regional Manager

Secure Design, Local Resilience

Creating a safe, sustainable and resilient youth justice environment through smart, purpose-driven engineering for the Northern Territory’s reform program.

Following the 2017 Royal Commission, ADG played an integral role supporting systemic reform through the redevelopment of youth justice infrastructure in Alice Springs. The project required security-conscious engineering, local climate resilience and cost-effective design. ADG’s innovative approach to surface water management, in lieu of traditional underground systems, leveraged the site’s natural topography to improve safety and reduce earthworks. Working collaboratively with Bennett Design and government stakeholders, ADG ensured upgraded facilities and new buildings met rigorous safety, structural and usability benchmarks delivering a facility aligned with the government’s modern approach to youth rehabilitation and community integration.

Engineering Insights

Balancing Security and Functionality

Maintaining strict safety requirements while meeting architectural design intent.
Developing structural design solutions fit for ongoing security operations.
Enhancing accessibility and usability across multiple secure zones.

Drainage Without Depth

Designing safe and efficient drainage without underground infrastructure.
Implementing open-channel and sheet-flow drainage systems.
Leveraging natural topography to minimise earthworks and optimise flow paths.

Integrating with Existing Facilities

Upgrading and retrofitting older infrastructure while ensuring minimal disruption.
Aligning new buildings with established operational logistics.
Delivering consistent design language across new and refurbished assets.

ADG's Solution

ADG’s design philosophy centred on innovation, resilience and purpose.

Working on a complex site more than 1,500 kilometres from ADG’s major offices required creative solutions for communication and collaboration. The project team leveraged digital engineering tools and remote coordination platforms to stay connected with Bennett Design, government stakeholders, and on‑site contractors. Regular virtual design reviews, cloud-based modelling, and adaptive workflows meant issues were resolved quickly despite geographic separation. This approach ensured design quality, compliance, and progress were never compromised. ADG’s ability to deliver accurate, robust solutions remotely demonstrates our agility and commitment to supporting clients anywhere in Australia — regardless of distance or terrain

By developing overland drainage systems that aligned with the centre’s security protocols, the team reduced construction complexity and ongoing maintenance costs.

The structural and civil solutions delivered ensured durability in high temperatures and low-rainfall conditions typical of Central Australia. Cross-discipline collaboration between ADG and Bennett Design maintained security and functionality without compromising architectural integrity, providing the Northern Territory Government with a modern, safe and operationally efficient youth justice facilities

Remote Delivery

Resilience

Engineered for performance in harsh desert conditions, temperature extremes, dust and limited rainfall.

Remote solutions

Seamless project coordination using digital design tools and virtual collaboration with stakeholders across the NT.

Community Impact

Adaptability

Practical upgrades integrated with existing operational facilities.

Social Outcomes

Supporting safer youth rehabilitation through purpose-driven infrastructure with strong social outcomes.

Security Engineering

Integrated Physical and Operational Security Design

ADG engineered structural and civil systems that supported strict security protocols without compromising function or aesthetics. Building layouts were optimised to provide clear lines of sight, controlled access points, and secured perimeters, ensuring compliance with custodial safety standards.

Infrastructure Designed for Controlled Access and Oversight

The civil design incorporated designated service corridors, vehicular access routes and integrated fencing systems. These were engineered to accommodate utilities, maintenance, and security operations without exposing vulnerable areas of the facility.