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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Brisbane and Cairns control tower life extensions.

Air Services Australia is implementing new technology into air traffic control towers known as the Integrated Tower Automation Suite to combine flight and operational data, surveillance and voice communications into a single, integrated, tower specific layout. The Integrated Tower Automation Suite will be rolled out progressively in towers in readiness for the civil military air traffic management system, which will provide a common platform for air traffic control in both civilian and military controlled air space. To achieve this outcome, Air Services is proposing to refurbish existing facilities and upgrade supporting infrastructure to extend design life at Brisbane and Cairns airports. The civil military air traffic management system will be installed into air traffic service centres and terminal control units and will interface with Integrated Tower Automation Suite, which is specific to tower operations.

The Brisbane and Cairns towers were built in 1987 and 1990 respectively. The fit-out and supporting infrastructure is from the original installation and is at the end of its design life. The project is estimated to cost $23.93 million in total: $9.98 million for Brisbane and $13.95 million for Cairns excluding GST. These costs include all construction costs, labour, external consultants, travel and an allowance for risks and contingencies. Subject to parliamentary approval, the construction works for the Brisbane tower are planned to commence in late 2016 and be completed by mid-2017. The construction works for the Cairns tower are planned to commence in early 2016 and be completed by late 2016. 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: HMAS Stirling redevelopment, Stage 3A, Garden Island, WA.

The Australian government's first responsibility is the security of our nation. To achieve this objective the government must invest in infrastructure which supports our soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen to ensure that they have the right platforms and equipment to be able to do their jobs. The Department of Defence is proposing to upgrade and replace ageing critical infrastructure and to construct new facilities at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island, Western Australia.

HMAS Stirling was named in honour of Captain James Stirling, Royal Navy, the naval officer who landed on Garden Island in 1827. Captain Stirling returned in June two years later to found not only the first European settlement in Western Australia but also the first free colony anywhere in Australia. HMAS Stirling's crest is based on Captain Stirling's family coat of arms. HMAS Stirling has grown over the years to become the Royal Australian Navy's major operational fleet base on the west coast of Australia and the home port for about half of the Navy's major war vessels.

The existing infrastructure at HMAS Stirling has reached or is nearing the end of its design life and will not continue to effectively support Navy operations from Western Australia without immediate and substantial redevelopment. The HMAS Stirling redevelopment, stage 3A, project will include critical upgrades to electrical, water, sewerage and communications infrastructure. It will also include general building upgrades to key facilities to improve and to extend functionality essential to support current and future naval operations.

This functionality is especially vital considering the future uses of HMAS Stirling, including hosting a number of our Navy's future submarine and frigate platforms that the coalition recently announced as part of an $89 billion investment in naval capability. The HMAS Stirling upgrade project is valued at an estimated $366.8 million, excluding GST, which includes construction costs, management design fees, furniture, fittings and equipment, contingencies and escalation allowances. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to begin in mid-2017 and should be completed by early 2020. The project will provide opportunities for jobs and growth throughout the construction period. 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: Growler Airborne Electronic Attack Capability Facilities Project.

The Department of Defence is proposing to refurbish existing facilities and construct new facilities at three locations across Australia to support the introduction of 12 new EA-18G Growler aircraft and support systems for the Australian Defence Force. The 12 new Growler airborne electronic attack aircraft are capable of providing electronic warfare support by disrupting a broad range of military electronic systems. Operating in conjunction with air, land and sea forces, the new Growler aircraft will be able to support the full spectrum of defence tasks.

The works are proposed at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, the Army Aviation Centre Oakey, in Queensland, and at Delamere air weapons range, in the Northern Territory. The project will provide fit-for-purpose facilities to support and sustain the operation and maintenance of the Growler aircraft capability. The project works include civil works, living accommodation, administration facilities, logistics and maintenance facilities, training and simulated facilities, multi-storey car parking, landscaping and demolition works.

The project is valued at an estimated $348.6 million, excluding GST. This includes construction costs, escalation allowances, professional service fees, design, construction and defence contingencies, and information technology equipment. This investment will provide local employment opportunities for subcontractors in Queensland and the Northern Territory and will provide economic benefits for local businesses and industry.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the project, construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2016, with completion expected by 2021. The government is committed to delivering world class defence capabilities to support our soldiers, our sailors and our airmen and airwomen in their roles at home and indeed abroad. The addition of the 12 new Growler aircraft will further enhance our military's capability and ability to engage in modern warfare. These proposed works will ensure that our bases are ready for the Growlers' arrival. 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: Melbourne and Brisbane air traffic services centre—Extension works.

Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence are proposing to replace their existing air traffic control systems with the new civil military air traffic management system being delivered under the OneSKY Australia program to provide a common platform provision of air traffic control in both civilian and military controlled air space. To achieve this outcome Airservices Australia is proposing to extend existing facilities in Melbourne and Brisbane to modernise the facility and upgrade the existing supporting infrastructure to enable delivery of the new system.

The proposed works comprises new air traffic service centres, which include controller rooms and amenities in Melbourne and Brisbane to house the new air traffic control consoles and associated facilities. The existing air traffic service buildings in Melbourne and Brisbane will continue to contain air traffic control support facilities and be repurposed, following the decommissioning of the existing air traffic control system, to house non-operational staff. The project is valued at $107.61 million, including GST. These costs include all development and delivery costs: management, design fees, construction costs, fittings, contingencies and an allowance for future escalation. Subject to parliamentary approval, the proposed works are scheduled to commence in early 2016, with a staged practical completion and commissioning from 2017. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.