Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Minister for Small Business) 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: HMAS Moreton Unit Relocation Project, HMAS Moreton, Bulimba, Queensland.

The Department of Defence is proposing to construct new facilities and provide new services on HMAS Moreton, Bulimba, Queensland. The proposed works to be delivered from this project include the provision of facilities to support Moreton's operations and to re-establish the base infrastructure with the reduced site. The project aims to provide a fully functioning, work-health-and-safety compliant and secure Defence site for Moreton to conduct operations and support functions for all current and future planned Royal Australian Navy activities. The scope of works includes a new multi-purpose building for office accommodation, classrooms and living-in accommodation. The engineering requirements include the extension of a council road, a new entry gate, a new boat ramp, internal road network, security fencing and connection to potable water, sewerage, stormwater and electrical services.

The Public Works Committee has conducted an inquiry and is of the view that the project signifies value for money for the Commonwealth and constitutes a project which is fit for purpose and expedient to carry out. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for, once again, undertaking a timely inquiry. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in November 2017 and be completed by February 2019. With that, I commend the 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: LAND 155—Enhanced Gap Crossing Capability Facilities Project.

The Department of Defence is proposing to build new and upgraded facilities to support the sustainment and maintenance of and training in the enhanced gap crossing capability at four locations across Australia. The project will deliver facilities and infrastructure at Wallangarra, Townsville in Queensland—I note the presence of the member for Herbert in the chamber—Darwin in the Northern Territory and Sydney in New South Wales. It will include permanent facilities for the storage of critical bridging equipment and an open storage hardstand to sustain and maintain the new capacity. The new and upgraded facilities will give the Australian Army a bridging capacity through the acquisition of operationally deployable solutions for use in a broad range of military and humanitarian activities. The proposed works will support an important Defence capability and allow more efficient and effective training to prepare the Australian Defence Force for deployment on operations to enhance Australia's security.

The Public Works Committee has conducted an inquiry and is of the view that the project signifies value for money for the Commonwealth and constitutes a project which is fit for purpose and expedient to carry out. On behalf of the government, I would, again, like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is scheduled to commence in September 2017 and is expected to be completed by April 2018. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

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