Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Minister for Small Business) 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: Australian Chancery Project Paris, France—Base Building Refurbishment, International Energy Agency Tenancy Fit-Out.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade proposes to undertake the base building refurbishment and an integrated fit-out of the area leased by the International Energy Agency within the Australian chancery complex in Paris. The Australian chancery in Paris accommodates the permanent missions to France, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Built in 1977 the chancery has approximately 11,215 square metres of net lettable area of which 5,650 square metres is being utilised to accommodate Australian government operations and functions. The surplus space of 5,565 square metres has been leased to the International Energy Agency since 1996.

The International Energy Agency lease is due to expire in April 2017, and a new lease for their future office accommodation needs is being negotiated on commercial market terms for a further 12 years.

A precondition of the International Energy Agency's future occupation of the tenancy in the chancery is a refurbishment of base building services and an integrated fit-out of their tenancy. The proposed works include base building refurbishment and fit-out of the International Energy Agency leased area to provide an efficient, modern and functional accommodation that includes office facilities, an auditorium, conference rooms and improved amenities.

The project is valued at an estimated $27.73 million and includes all costs associated with the fit-out such as builders' costs, consultant fees, furniture, fittings and equipment, contingencies, and escalation allowance. Subject to parliamentary approval of the project, the fit-out works is expected to commence in mid-2017, with completion expected by mid-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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Australian Embassy Project, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade proposes to construct a new Australian Embassy in Washington DC in order to maintain a presence in the heart of the Washington diplomatic precinct. This proposal will provide a contemporary chancery that distinctly defines and showcases Australia's physical presence in Washington DC. It will provide for the Australian government's existing operational requirements as well as for future foreign policy, defence and security, intelligence, development, trade and economic cooperation objectives and needs. The new Australian embassy will be purpose-built and will showcase Australian architecture and engineering design. The building will provide a contemporary facility incorporating ecological sustainable designs and conform with appropriate work, health and safety regulations.

The existing embassy was constructed in 1967 and the building and services are at the end of their useable life. The general running of the embassy is subject to significant business continuity risks that could compromise critical core functions for the Australian government. The proposed works include a fit-out of a temporary chancery, the demolition of the existing chancery and the construction of a new chancery. The project is valued at an estimated $236.9 million and includes fit-out of temporary office accommodation, demolition, construction of the works and all other related elements such as design consultant fees, project management, supervision and site office expenses.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the project and following design development, the temporary accommodation fit-out works is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2018, with completion and occupation expected by the first quarter of 2019. Demolition followed by construction of the new chancery is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2019 and be completed and occupied in the first half of 2022. 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: Proposed fit-out of new leased premises for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection Headquarters Project.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection proposes to undertake a fit-out and refurbishment of new and existing leased premises at 5 and 6 Chan Street and 45 Benjamin Way, Belconnen, and at 3 Molonglo Drive, Canberra Airport Precinct, in the Australian Capital Territory. The project is driven by the expiration of current leases, targeted Commonwealth efficiencies and the need for appropriate accommodation designed to enhance Immigration's capability across all areas of business. The new fit-outs will give Immigration a new work place that is innovative and fit-for-purpose.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has a substantial presence in the ACT and this will continue when the department is consolidated from 12 buildings into four buildings. Immigration will substantially reduce the amount of office space it holds in the ACT by approximately 14,000 square metres. The proposed works include new workstations, offices and meeting areas, specialist operations areas, new security systems, advanced technology in conference rooms, training and video conferencing facilities, including the Australian Border Force College, and new multiuse, non-denominational rooms and amenity areas.

The estimated cost of the fit-out is $257.39 million, excluding GST, and covers all costs associated with the delivery of the project, including provision for contingencies, cost escalation and professional fees. Subject to parliamentary approval, the fit-out is expected to begin in early 2017 with staged completion scheduled from mid 2018 to early 2021. 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: Proposed fit-out of new leased premises for the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Department of Human Services, Geelong, Victoria.

The National Disability Insurance Agency and the Department of Human Services propose to undertake an integrated fit-out of new leased premises in Geelong, Victoria. The NDIA and DHS currently have a substantial presence in the regional centre of Geelong and are currently located in a number of buildings across the city. The proposal will deliver considerable operational efficiencies for both agencies through the co-location of staff and the consolidation and rationalisation of leases. Operational savings will also be achieved through the implementation of high-energy efficient technologies in the new building. The development of the building will have a positive impact on the local community, providing commercial lettable space as well as office accommodation, increasing employment opportunities in the region and stimulating business activity.

The estimated cost of the fit-out is $27 million, excluding GST, and includes all costs associated with the fit-out such as builders' costs, consultant fees, furniture, fittings and equipment and workstations. Subject to parliamentary approval of the project, the fit-out is expected to commence in April 2017 with completion by mid- to 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Proposed Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation Project, Broadmeadows, Victoria.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection proposes to undertake construction works and upgrades to the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation facility in Broadmeadows, Victoria. The proposed works will provide a level of amenity consistent with the features of existing Australian immigration detention centres that accommodate high-risk detainees. The proposed works include 140 high-security beds, adequate amenities, capacity to separate cohorts within compounds, and sophisticated and suitable security infrastructure. The estimated cost of the construction works is $29.07 million, excluding GST, which covers all costs associated with the delivery of the project, including associated decommissioning, civil works, in-ground services, information and communication technology, fencing, lighting, security, landscaping, preliminaries, consultant fees and contingency. Subject to parliamentary approval of the project, construction is expected to commence in March 2017 and be completed by October 2017.

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: Proposed Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre Hardening Project at Mitchell Avenue, Northam, Western Australia.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection proposes to upgrade the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre facility located in Northam, Western Australia, to make it suitable for increased numbers of high-risk detainees. The Yongah Hill facility is not fit for purpose to manage high-risk detainees, as it was largely designed to accommodate a low- to medium-risk case load. The proposed upgrades will provide a level of amenity consistent with the features of existing Australian immigration detention centres that accommodate high-risk detainees. The upgrade includes 120 high-security beds, adequate amenities, capacity to separate cohorts within compounds, necessary civil works and suitable security infrastructure. The estimated cost of the construction works is $27.43 million, excluding GST, which covers all costs associated with the delivery of the upgrades. Subject to parliamentary approval of the project, construction is expected to be undertaken in two phases commencing in March 2017, with completion expected by March 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Seaward Village—Proposed upgrades to housing for Defence families at Seaward Village, Swanbourne, Western Australia.

Defence Housing Australia, on behalf of the Department of Defence, proposes to undertake upgrades and construction of housing for the Australian Defence Force at Seaward Village, Swanbourne, Western Australia. This multiphase project involves the upgrade of existing dwellings. It will significantly improve the quality of housing at Seaward Village and will offer a standard of amenity commensurate with other DHA houses around Australia. The upgrades will provide safe, functional, cost-effective, energy-efficient dwellings designed to be suitable for the local climate and of a style consistent with the character of the site and other comparable Defence housing. The estimated cost to deliver the project is $48.3 million, including GST. This includes all development and delivery costs, including management, design fees, temporary facility costs, construction costs, furniture, fittings and equipment, contingencies and an escalation allowance. Subject to parliamentary approval, phase 1 of the upgrades and construction is expected to begin in May 2017, with completion of all phases expected by May 2020.

I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.