Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance) 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:

Construction of a new Australian High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya.

As an important overseas mission in Africa, the Nairobi High Commission is significant in representation terms, as well as acting as a hub for Australia's interest in East, West and North Africa. In 2004-05 a global review of physical security at Australia's overseas missions was undertaken, which identified a number of high-risk chanceries, including the current mission in Nairobi.

As well as providing appropriate physical security, this project will deliver a modern, functional chancery building to accommodate tenant agencies, as well as providing guardhouse, service building and recreational facilities all within a secure compound. The proposed new construction will ensure updated security measures and compliance with Australian standards, and work, health and safety requirements. The estimated cost of the proposal is $57.6 million and includes all construction costs, site preparation, infrastructure, management design fees, contingencies and escalation.

The Public Works Committee has reported back to the House and the Senate on this project and recommends that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction of the major works package is forecast to commence in early 2016, with practical completion and occupancy in late 2018. 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:

CSIRO ACT Consolidation Project, Australian Capital Territory.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation proposes to consolidate its property holdings in the Australian Capital Territory by relocating staff from leased premises in Campbell, Yarralumla and Acton to the CSIRO site at Black Mountain. The Black Mountain site has an area of 37.3 hectares. The current dispersed layout reflects a legacy of earlier autonomous divisional structures, which are spread across a number of different buildings with replicated activity clusters.

The intent of the proposed consolidation project is to consolidate science, research and support facilities on the Black Mountain site. These new buildings will accommodate staff and functions which currently occupy buildings which have passed their effective design life and which do not meet current standards for health and safety. The buildings which are unsuitable for continued use will be demolished. The estimated cost of the project is $195.6 million plus GST, with the works to occur in two phases.

In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed, subject to the recommendation that CSIRO continue to consult with its staff with a view to implementing measures to address staff concerns where this is warranted and feasible. I am advised that CSIRO accepts and will implement that recommendation. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in July 2014, with completion scheduled for March 2019. 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:

CSIRO Clayton Property Strategy, Clayton, Victoria.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation proposes to relocate its staff and research from Highett, Melbourne to its Clayton site adjacent to Monash University. CSIRO requires property to enable its specialised science capabilities. As such, CSIRO needs to ensure that all of its facilities are fit for purpose, support science, and provide facilities which attract leading researchers and scientists to CSIRO. This proposal includes the provision of a new building at North Clayton for science education and the Factories of the Future Innovation Centre. In addition, the new buildings will house the CSIRO science education centres currently located at Highett. The estimated cost of the proposal is $32 million plus GST and includes escalation costs, contingencies, all professional fees and authority charges.

The Public Works Committee has reviewed the project and reported back to the House and Senate recommending that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is scheduled to commence in June 2014 and to be completed by December 2015. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, under the leadership of Mrs Karen Andrews, the member for McPherson, for considering this project in such a timely manner and for its support for this project. 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:

Reserve Bank of Australia, National Banknote Site, Craigieburn, Victoria.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is the sole issuing authority for Australian banknotes. The key objective of the Reserve Bank in meeting this responsibility is to maintain public confidence in Australia's banknotes. The Reserve Bank has embarked on a program to upgrade the security of Australia's banknotes. The Next Generation Banknote project will progressively replace currently circulating banknotes over the next decade.

The current storage, distribution and processing capacity of the Reserve Bank Sydney, Melbourne and Craigieburn sites is insufficient to enable the bank to store and issue the new series of banknotes and to accommodate banknote growth in the medium term. The Reserve Bank proposes to build a national banknote site on vacant land owned by the bank at Craigieburn in Victoria. The estimated cost of the proposal is $72 million, plus GST, and includes all construction costs, site preparation, infrastructure, management design fees, contingencies and escalation.

The Public Works Committee has reviewed the project and reported back to the House and the Senate. In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these projects proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, work is proposed to commence in early 2015 and to be fully operational in early 2017 to enable a transition to the Next Generation Banknote series and meet the banknote storage, distribution and processing operations for at least the next 25 years. With that, I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.