Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The $18.7 million Reinvestment in Australian Defence Force Specific Nutritional Capability project, Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), Scottsdale, Tasmania, will upgrade facilities and infrastructure to meet Defence's nutrition and food science research and development needs for the next 30 years. Works include the refurbishment and expansion of the food technology facilities, upgrades to existing chemistry and nutrition laboratories, and improvements to working accommodation.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (PWC) conducted its hearing of the project on 27 July 2011 and Parliament approved the project on 12 October 2011. Construction is expected to commence in early 2012 and be completed by early 2014. During the construction phase, it is estimated that an average of 30 job opportunities will be created, peaking at around 60 working on site during the fit out and finishing stage for the refurbished and expanded buildings.

The DSTO facility at Scottsdale, Tasmania, directly employs 28 personnel and indirectly impacts other economic activity, mostly the delivery of goods and services. There is no planned increase in DSTO staff as a result of the project.