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: Fit-out of new leased premises for the Australian Taxation Office at 735 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria.

The Australian Taxation Office proposes to undertake an integrated fit-out of new leased premises in the Melbourne CBD, at an estimated out-turn cost of $50.88 million, exclusive of GST. The new premises will replace the ATO’s existing five leases in the Melbourne CBD. The leases for four of these properties will expire in 2012, with the remaining lease due to expire in 2017. It is expected that the co-location into a single new building will provide the ATO with considerable advantages in terms of building design, performance and long-term viability and maintenance.

In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, the proposed integrated fit-out works are scheduled to start in December 2010 and be completed by 30 March 2012. The developer has initiated work on site, with excavation and pier drilling of the basement areas. Ground works will begin in May this year. The ATO is expected to take up occupancy of the building in April 2012. 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.