Part 4 Report on activities

Building and Security Division

Introduction

The Building and Security Division comprises the Building Services Branch, Capital Works Branch, Security Branch and Program Delivery Branch. The division provides ongoing maintenance services for the building and landscape, in addition to security operations and project delivery services to support the Parliament.

The APH complex occupies a 35-hectare site, comprises approximately 4,700 rooms across four levels, and has a total floor area of approximately 250,000 square metres. The building contains more than 100,000 maintainable assets, including plant, fixtures, fittings, furniture and operating equipment, all of which are maintained by the division.

Divisional highlights

Building Services Branch

The Building Services Branch is responsible for building maintenance and logistics; landscape and gardening services; building information and building maintenance contracts; commissioned and global furniture, strategic accommodation and office fitout as well as strategic asset management.

The branch is made up of three sections which report to the Assistant Secretary:

  • Building Strategy & Services
  • Maintenance Services
  • Building Information & Contracts

Key highlights of the branch include:

  • To ensure prompt response and resolution of day-to-day building issues, the DPS Maintenance Help Desk manages building services requests, responds to alarms, assigns rapid response trade staff and provides 24-hour system monitoring and response functions. During this reporting period, the Help Desk received 8,898 incoming calls for assistance.
  • Staff participated in television filming for Gardening Australia in October 2016 (the episode aired on 23 April 2017).
  • The spring program was a success, with record numbers (63) attending the Meet the Gardener tours, up from 32 in 2015–16.
  • Building Information received 606 requests from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. These requests ranged from amendments and drafting of drawings, transmittals, requests for information, copying and scanning and requests for access to the BI home page.
  • 154 people were provided with new DPS standard office accommodation and furniture, including sit to stand desks.

Security Branch

Security Branch is responsible for the provision of security services, including daily operational security, policy management, building security, parking services, visitor access, security risk management, resilience planning and emergency management. Security Branch works in partnership with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to ensure the safety and security of APH occupants and visitors.

The branch is made up of two sections which report to the Assistant Secretary:

  • Security Operations (responsible for Parliamentary Security Services)
  • Security Policy and Governance

Key highlights of the branch include:

  • Established the Australian Parliament House (APH) Security Policy and Governance Framework which defines the objectives of protective security at APH and will inform the ongoing review and development of policies and procedures to support the joint security arrangements.
  • A comparative analysis of security arrangements at APH against other Australian and international parliaments was completed and is being used to inform a functional review of APH security arrangements.
  • Parliamentary Security Service (PSS) officers responded to approximately 80 first aid incidents.
  • The PSS training team conducted five recruitment rounds leading to the qualification of a total of 40 new officers filling a mix of ongoing and casual positions.

Program Delivery Branch

The department has primary responsibility for the security hardening of APH in response to the heightened terrorist threat environment in Australia. The Program Delivery Branch was established in order to facilitate the Australian Parliament House Security Upgrade—Implementation Plan.

The branch is made up of one section that reports to the Assistant Secretary Program Delivery.

Key highlights of the branch include:

  • Group 1 Security Upgrade Works were completed in 2016–17, these works are now handed to relevant DPS teams for ongoing business-as-usual maintenance.
  • To facilitate the Group 2 Physical Security Upgrade Works, elements of the upgrades required endorsement by both houses of Parliament. The project team worked closely with the contractors and stakeholders to compile the tabling statement. Parliament approved the works in December 2016.
  • The erection of temporary fencing for the Group 2 Physical Security Upgrades commenced on the northern ramps in late June 2017. The Group 2 Physical Security Upgrades around APH will continue in 2017–18.
  • The Security Upgrade electronics contractor commenced a roll-out of project deliverables in June 2017. The project team worked closely with stakeholders to facilitate the commencement of access card readers and door hardware equipment to parliamentarians’ suites. As part of this, the project team and contractors undertook a changeover of hundreds of CCTV cameras across the precinct in readiness for the infrastructure upgrades going live in 2017.

Capital Works Branch

The Capital Works Branch was formed in early 2017 to more effectively deliver the building asset renewal program. The branch is responsible for delivering building infrastructure projects that enable APH to function effectively as a safe and accessible building, while respecting the design intent of the building. The work of the branch is categorised into the following programs: Architectural Program; Fire and General Programs; Kitchens Program; Vertical Transport; Mechanical/Hydraulic Program; and Electrical Program.

The branch is made up of one section that reports to the Assistant Secretary Capital Works.

Key highlights of the branch include:

  • Additional car parking has been facilitated adjacent to West Block. The car park remains owned by the National Capital Authority but is dedicated to APH pass holders on sitting weeks and other days when the building has high usage.
  • Two additional suites were created on the House of Representatives side of the building along with a high security facility for the Serjeant-at-Arms.
  • Significant progress has been made on projects associated with fire safety policy and the Emergency Warning Intercommunication System and the majority of the working at height safety works have been completed.