House debates

Thursday, 25 March 2021

Committees

Public Works Committee; Approval of Work

9:42 am

Photo of Alan TudgeAlan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Youth) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Assistant Minister to the Minister for the Public Service, 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: Airservices Australia—Brisbane Air Traffic Services Centre and Control Tower Complex Refurbishment.

Airservices Australia is proposing to refurbish the existing air traffic services centre and control tower complex within the Brisbane air traffic services centre compound. This will deliver support facilities for the new civil and military air traffic management system. These works are integral milestones in the OneSKY Australia Program—a partnership between Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence to replace the current independent civil and Defence air traffic management systems with an advanced integrated system.

The proposed works will provide fit-for-purpose facilities to support the initial and ongoing training of operational users and provide technical support throughout the life of the new air traffic management system. The estimated cost of the works is $35.7 million, excluding GST.

The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 1 December 2020. The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, that it is expedient to carry out the project. Subject to parliamentary approvals, the works are expected to commence in quarter 3 of 2021 and be completed in quarter 2 of 2022.

On behalf of the government, I thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

On behalf of the Assistant Minister to the Minister for the Public Service, 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: Airservices Australia—Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport Tower Refurbishment Project.

Airservices Australia is undertaking a national program to replace the current tower technology system air traffic controllers use to track and communicate with aircraft with an Integrated Tower Automation Suite—INTAS. The capacity and availability of the current electrical and mechanical services in the Sydney airport tower would not support the transition to INTAS. The proposed project involves a refurbishment and upgrade to extend the tower's design life and meet current building codes and standards; modernise and enhance the building's amenities; and enable the facility to support the transition to INTAS. The estimated cost of the works is $24.6 million, excluding GST.

The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 1 December 2020. The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, that it is expedient to carry out the project. Subject to parliamentary approval of the project, construction is planned to commence as soon as possible and with an expected completion date of September 2022.

On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry and I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

On behalf of the Assistant Minister to the Minister for the Public Service, 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: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation—Perth Precinct Project.

As Australia's leading multidisciplinary research organisation, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, known as CSIRO, requires facilities that are fit for purpose, support science and are of a standard that will attract and retain leading researchers and scientists. CSIRO is proposing to undertake refurbishment works at three of its four sites located in the Perth Precinct: Floreat, Kensington and Waterford. The works are consistent with CSIRO's 2019-29 Property Strategy, which seeks to align CSIRO's property footprint with the future needs of the organisation, improve utilisation of property and maximise investment of limited funds in key sites. The estimated costs of the works is $19 million, excluding GST.

The works were referred to the PWC on 11 November 2020. The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, that it is expedient to carry out the works. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works are expected to commence in April 2021 and with completion expected in February 2022.

On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry and I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

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