Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present Report No. 3 of 2021, concerning a referral made in April 2021.

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

by leave—On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the committee's third report for 2021. Report No. 3 of 2021 considers one proposal referred to the committee in April 2021. The proposal is the Department of Defence's North Queensland Mid-Term Refresh Program, with approval sought from the committee to carry out works at RAAF Base Townsville, Townsville Field Training Area and HMAS Cairns. The estimated cost of this project is $111.2 million, excluding GST.

The North Queensland Mid-Term Refresh Program aims to meet the immediate and essential base sustainment needs and address compliance and capability requirements at all three sites. This will be achieved through the provision of vital estate maintenance and upgrades, including the creation of new access points to the Townsville Field Training Area and additional accommodation at RAAF Base Townsville. The committee was pleased to hear from Defence that all three sites are categorised as 'enduring basis' or 'training areas' with no current plans for divestment in the foreseeable future. The committee recommends that the House find it expedient that the Department Of Defence's North Queensland Mid-Term Refresh Program proceed. I commend the report to the House.

Debate adjourned.

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