Peter Lindsay (Herbert, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: National Towers Program stage 1 for Airservices Australia at Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne and Rockhampton airports.

Airservices Australia proposes to undertake a continuous improvement program to replace or refurbish the Airservices Australia air traffic control tower inventory, at an estimated out-turn cost for stage 1 of the National Towers Program of $94.5 million plus GST.

Airservices Australia operates 26 air traffic control towers throughout Australia. As the age of towers increases, the ability to cost-effectively maintain the facilities and to maintain and upgrade equipment certainly diminishes. The control towers range in age from 10 years to around 50 years, with an average age in excess of 30 years. The objective of stage 1 of the National Towers Program is to replace the existing control towers at Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne and Rockhampton airports.

In its report, the Public Works Committee recommended that the proposed work proceed, subject to the recommendations of the committee. Airservices Australia accepts and will implement these recommendations.

Subject to parliamentary approval, it is anticipated that a design and construct contractor will be appointed by the end of this year, with construction completed some 20 months later. This will, of course, be subject to the responses received when the market is approached.

On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and I commend this motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Lavarack Barracks redevelopment stage 4, Townsville, Queensland.

Mr Deputy Speaker, this is a great day for Townsville, for two reasons.

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