Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Development and construction of housing for Defence at RAAF Base Darwin, NT.

Defence Housing Australia, on behalf of the Department of Defence, proposes to undertake the development and construction of 80 new on-base houses at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Northern Territory. The proposal involves the creation of a new on-base housing precinct through the redevelopment of previously developed urban land.

The 80 new on-base dwellings will in part address a shortage of housing for the Australian Defence Force members in Darwin and improve the quality and condition of housing on the base. The dwellings are designed to be sustainable and appropriate for tropical conditions and to enhance the amenity and sustainability of the housing precinct and address current substandard infrastructure. The estimated overall project cost is approximately $53.36 million, including GST, contingency and escalation costs, but excludes the cost of the land, which is already owned by the Commonwealth. Subject to parliamentary approval, integrated civil construction is expected to commence in October 2014 and be completed by November 2016. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

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