Gary Gray (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service and Integrity) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report:

Defence Logistics Transformation Program.

The Defence Logistics Transformation Program is a key strategic reform initiative that will deliver a modern robust and efficient logistic system to support the Australian Defence Force. The program will modernise defence logistics infrastructure and mounting bases, introducing new technologies and refine the business practices across the whole defence logistics network.

New warehouses and maintenance facilities are to be constructed in Moorebank in Western Sydney; Ipswich and Townsville in Queensland; Darwin in the Northern Territory; Perth in Western Australia; Adelaide in South Australia; and Wodonga in regional Victoria.

The capital investment in the program will have economic benefits in these locations for local industry, with significant opportunities for subcontractors and the construction industry over the next three years.

The total capped budget for the program is $899.6 million, which includes $752.7 million plus GST, which provides for the construction costs; management and design fees; furniture, fittings and equipment; contingencies; and an escalation allowance.

Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in late 2012 and is planned to be completed on all sites by mid-2015. 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report:

Development and construction of housing for Defence members and their families at Kellyville, Sydney, NSW.

Defence Housing Australia, DHA, proposes to develop a four-hectare greenfield property at Withers Road, Kellyville, New South Wales. The site is approximately 21 kilometres from the Parramatta CBD, 47 kilometres from the Sydney CBD and 24 kilometres from RAAF Base Richmond.

DHA purchased this well-located land from the private market via a private treaty in late 2011. The site was selected due to its close proximity to established shopping and service facilities at Rouse Hill and its central location between RAAF Base Richmond and the Parramatta CBD.

The proposal will involve development of the site over two stages with stage 1 consisting of general, civil and roadworks for the development of 65 serviced allotments; and stage 2 consisting of the construction of 34 dwellings for defence personnel use in the form of 26 integrated townhouses and eight detached dwellings.

The estimated overall project cost is $22.834 million, including GST and excluding the cost of the land. The cost will be met by DHA and recovered through the sale of surplus lots and the DHA sale and leaseback program.

Subject to parliamentary approval, civil construction is expected to commence in April 2013 with dwelling construction to be completed by December 2014. 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report:

High Voltage Electrical Distribution Upgrade, Liverpool Military Area, NSW.

The $19.5 million Liverpool military high-voltage electrical distribution upgrade project proposes to provide increased electrical supply and an upgraded electrical distribution network in order to support existing and planned growth in infrastructure and facilities within the Liverpool military area.

The project will upgrade and replace inadequate, outdated and non-compliant electrical infrastructure that will subsequently improve the overall capability and functionality of the Liverpool military area.

Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is scheduled to commence in early 2013 and is planned to be completed by mid-2014. 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report:

Moorebank Units Relocation, Holsworthy, NSW.

On 23 April 2012, the Australian government announced its commitment to facilitate delivery of an intermodal terminal by mid-2017 at Moorebank, New South Wales. The future Moorebank Intermodal Terminal is to be developed on land currently occupied by a number of Defence units and facilities, the largest of which is the Australian Army's School of Military Engineering.

Through the Moorebank Units Relocation project, the affected Defence units will be relocated from the Moorebank site into the new facilities to be constructed at the nearby Holsworthy Barracks by the end of 2014. The project proposes to establish five new precincts within the existing Holsworthy Barracks cantonment, which will include the provision of new working, training, living and support facilities for all relocated Defence units.

As part of establishing the new precincts, the project also proposes to improve the overall capability of the base by upgrading or replacing inadequate and non-compliant essential engineering services. Within the new entry precinct, the project also proposes to provide upgraded security arrangements and a new entry to Holsworthy Barracks to address local traffic congestion issues, which will involve the development of a new intersection on Heathcote Road.

In addition to the facilities required at Holsworthy Barracks to support the relocated Moorebank units, several new multi-use facilities are also proposed to be provided by the project to better support the increased base population and to achieve improved cost efficiencies and operational synergies. Redundant facilities beyond their economic life in the vicinity of the proposed new works will be demolished. With about 2,000 construction jobs to be generated by this project over the next three years, it is expected that this project will provide major economic benefits for the wider Sydney region and local industry.

The decision to deliver an intermodal terminal at Moorebank has provided Defence the opportunity to consolidate its activities at Holsworthy Barracks and to achieve cost-effective capability upgrades. This is consistent with extant Defence policy of co-locating units to achieve enhanced operational outcomes and improved operating efficiencies.

The estimated out-turned cost of the proposed work is $869.999 million plus GST. Subject to parliamentary approval of the project, the main construction program is scheduled to commence no later than January 2013 and all works are planned to be completed by late 2015. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.