Scott Buchholz (Wright, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works I present the committee's report entitled Referrals made March 2017 (6th report of 2017).

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

by leave—Contained in this report are two referrals from March 2017. The first project is LAND 155. It's an enhanced gap crossing capability facilities project. The project proposes to construct facilities to store new portable bridges for the Australian Army. Construction is proposed to take place in both Wallangarra and Lavarack barracks in Queensland, Robertson Barracks in the Northern Territory and the Liverpool Military Area in New South Wales. The scope of the work includes shelters and hard stands to house the portable bridges and associated vehicles. The project cost is estimated at around $23.4 million.

The second project is the HMAS Moreton unit relocation project. The project is proposed to take place on the site of the former Bulimba Barracks in the Brisbane suburb of Bulimba. The scope includes the demolition of existing buildings, the construction of a new gatehouse, the replacement of two conference facilities and the construction of a range of other facilities and infrastructure. The project is necessary to maintain the current capabilities following the disposal of the majority of the former Bulimba Barracks.

The view of the local communities, particularly those living near the government facilities and Defence base, are very important and are an enormous part of the committee's scrutiny processes. For the HMAS Moreton inquiry, the committee took the decision to travel to Brisbane to talk with local residents and their elected representatives about the prospects and the outcome of the project. This hearing presented a valuable opportunity for local residents to have their say on the proposed works. The views of local residents of the community on the impacts of the project are an important part of the committee's scrutiny process. The committee recommends that these two projects proceed, and I commend these projects and this report to the House.

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