Mike Kelly (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support) Share this | Link to 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: Multi role helicopter facilities.

The Department of Defence proposes to provide a range of helicopter shelters, operational facilities, simulated buildings and maintenance facilities to support the introduction of the multirole helicopter aircraft. The proposed facilities and infrastructure will be located at RAAF Base Townsville, the Army Aviation Centre at Oakey, Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera in Queensland and HMAS Albatross at Nowra in New South Wales. The project will involve a mix of new facilities, refurbishment and adaptive re-use of existing facilities. The estimated out-turned cost of the proposal is $168.7 million plus GST.

In its report the Public Works Committee has recommended actions for the Australian government. The Department of Defence has acknowledged this recommendation and notes that it is a matter for the Australian government. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in late 2008 with completion by late 2010. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and 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: RAAF Base Darwin redevelopment stage 2, Darwin.

The Department of Defence proposes to undertake stage 2 of the redevelopment of RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory at an estimated out-turned cost of $49.8 million plus GST. RAAF Base Darwin is a major military air base in the Northern Territory. The base primarily supports overseas deployments and transit operations as well as major Defence exercises.

This is the second redevelopment planed for RAAF Base Darwin and seeks to address aged, substandard and dysfunctional infrastructure and facilities which do not comply with current standards. The redevelopment project will involve a new logistics headquarters, office accommodation, a fuel farm, a mechanical equipment workshop, a vehicle wash bay and demolition of redundant facilities.

In its report the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval the construction phase will commence in 2009 and be completed in 2011. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and 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: Robertson Barracks redevelopment, Darwin.

The Department of Defence proposes to undertake a redevelopment of Robertson Barracks, the home of the Army’s 1st Brigade. The works now proposed are required to meet the requirements of the Australian Army in a complex strategic environment and to meet the requirements of the government’s Hardened and Networked Army initiative and introduction of the Abrams tank fleet. The works consist primarily of extensional replication of existing facilities. The estimated out-turned cost of the proposal is $72.1 million plus GST.

In its report the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed subject to the recommendations of the committee. The Department of Defence accepts and will implement these recommendations. Subject to parliamentary approval the works would commence in early 2009 with the objective of having them completed in 2011. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and 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: Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) facilities at Edinburgh Defence Precinct.

The Hardened and Networked Army initiative, which was approved by government in December 2005, greatly strengthens the Army’s protection, mobility, firepower and communications, allowing operations in more complex, dangerous and uncertain environments. The initiative will increase options for the government in terms of both the combat weight of the force that can be deployed and the duration that forces can be sustained on operations.

As part of this initiative, the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment—7RAR—is being re-raised as a mechanised infantry battalion. The battalion currently occupies temporary facilities in Darwin but will be based at Edinburgh Defence Precinct, Adelaide, along with supporting artillery, combat engineer and logistics troops. The Hardened and Networked Army Facilities project at Edinburgh Defence Precinct, at an out-turned cost of $623.68 million plus GST, will provide working accommodation, training facilities, urban warfare training facilities, a driver training area, a vehicle wash point and common user facilities for both Army and Air Force, including health, messing, fitness and community facilities. The project will deliver a high priority Defence capability requirement. It will also deliver economic benefits for South Australia and provide a popular posting location for Army personnel.

In its report the Public Works Committee has recommended actions for the Australian government and the Minister for Defence. The Department of Defence has acknowledged these recommendations and notes they are respectively matters for the Australian government and the Minister for Defence. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is planned to commence in late 2008 and be completed by December 2011. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and 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: Enoggera redevelopment stage 1 project, Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane.

The Department of Defence proposes to undertake the first stage of the redevelopment of Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, at an estimated out-turned cost of $80.2 million plus GST. The main components of the proposed works include a new combined mess, office accommodation and upgrades to some engineering services. The proposal will significantly enhance the base support facilities and provide a safer and more effective work environment for personnel based at Gallipoli Barracks.

In its report the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works would commence in late 2008 and be completed by 2011. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and 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: RAAF Base Tindal redevelopment stage 5.

The Department of Defence proposes to undertake stage 5 of the redevelopment of RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine, in the Northern Territory, at an estimated out-turned cost of $58.7 million plus GST. RAAF Base Tindal is part of a chain of airfields stretching across Northern Australia from Learmonth in Western Australia to Townsville in northern Queensland. It is the home base for No. 75 Squadron, a tactical fighter squadron equipped with FA18 Hornets. It is also a staging base for exercises conducted in the area.

This proposal will be a mixture of new facilities, refurbishment and extension to existing facilities and will include upgrades to the base engineering services, aircraft maintenance facilities, warehousing, new fuel tanker maintenance and liquid dry oxygen facilities as well as catering and messing improvements. The proposed project will improve the operational and support capabilities assigned to the base, correct limitations and deficiencies with existing facilities and infrastructure and enhance the working environment for base personnel to an acceptable level. It will address occupational health and safety issues and facilities which no longer meet Australian and Defence standards.

In its report the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is scheduled to commence mid next year and be completed in late 2011. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and 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: Airborne early warning and control aircraft facilities, RAAF Base Tindal.

The proposal will provide new infrastructure at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory to enable the new airborne early warning and control aircraft to operate effectively from the base. This new capability will be an integral part of a layered Australian Defence Force air defence system. The airborne early warning and control capability will enhance surveillance, air defence, fleet support and joint operations in defence of Australia’s sovereignty and her national interests.

The aircraft will be home based at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales and will use RAAF Base Tindal as a forward operating base. The first aircraft are scheduled for delivery in July 2009. The proposal will provide new taxiways, aprons, shelters, hydrant refuelling and associated infrastructure. The estimated out-turned cost of the proposal is $64.2 million plus GST. In its report the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in early 2009, with completion in late 2010. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.