Chapter 2 The Proposed Works
Purpose
2.1
Defence describes the purpose of the RAAF Base Amberley Redevelopment
Stage 3 project as an opportunity to enhance Australian Defence Force (ADF)
capabilities and efficiencies in service delivery by providing new facilities
and upgrading and augmenting existing facilities at RAAF Base Amberley.[1]
2.2
The project will address the poor siting of residential and support
facilities by relocating these functions to low noise areas in accordance with
the Base Zone and Precinct plan, increase the capacity of base services to
support the immediate and planned increase in base population, and improve the
base physical security.[2]
Need
2.3
Defence justifies the need for this project on the basis that it will
facilitate future development and reduce the impact of aircraft noise on the
resident Defence personnel. On completion the project will have relocated
residential and support facilities to low noise areas and create additional space
adjacent to the flight line for future operational facilities in accordance
with the base Zone and Precinct plan.[3]
2.4
The current base population is approximately 2,500 uniformed personnel
that by 2009 will see an increase in the Base population to approximately 3,200
uniformed personnel. Allowing for a modest projection of long term growth, it
is estimated that by 2015 the base population will be in the vicinity of 4,000
uniformed personnel. This will place additional pressure on base support
services, in particular messing, the Mechanical Equipment and Operational
Maintenance Section and health care services.[4]
2.5
From an operational perspective, the home basing of the Multi-Role
Tanker Transport (MRTT) and C-17 aircraft will place additional demand on the
base fuel supplies and liquid dry breathing oxygen storage. With the
decommissioning of one of the two current base fuel farms for environmental,
serviceability and safety concerns, the remaining fuel storage is insufficient
to support the flying activities at the base and additional fuel storage is
required. Further, the current liquid dry breathing oxygen compound does not
comply with current standards and does not have sufficient capacity or
redundancy to support the forecast demand.[5]
Scope
2.6
According to the Defence Statement of Evidence, the scope of the proposed
RAAF Amberley Redevelopment Stage Three project includes 14 separate project
elements. These are as follows:
n New Level 3 Trainee Living-In Accommodation.
- this
project element will provide 160 rooms of trainee Level 3 live in accommodation,
and the demolition of the current trainee live in accommodation;
n New Combined Messing Facility.
- this
project element proposes a combined mess facility with a single kitchen and
separate mess wings that provide formal and informal spaces for each rank group;
n A New Physical Fitness Training Centre.
- this
project element provides for a new base physical fitness centre including a
swimming pool and other training and recreational facilities;
n Additional Fuel Storage.
- this
element of the project involves the construction of additional aviation fuel
storage and the demolition of Fuel Farm 1 that is now obsolete and remediation
of the site;
n New Liquid Dry Breathing Oxygen Facility.
- this
project element will provide a new liquid dry breathing oxygen compound;
n A New Headquarters building for the Combat Support Group.
- as part
of this proposal a new headquarters building for the Combat Support Group will
be constructed, and the existing building refurbished and reused for other
purposes;
n No. 1 Air Transportable Health Squadron.
- this
project element will provide dental and medical care facilities to support
Level 2 care for Base personnel and storage for deployable equipment based on a
projected base population of 4,000 uniformed members;
n Base Information Systems Centre and Base Command Post.
- the
redevelopment project proposes a significant upgrade and refurbishment of the
existing building that will include the upgrading of ablutions and change rooms
as well as the refurbishment of the Base Commanders Office;
n RAAF Security and Fire School.
- this
element of the project involves provision of new instructional and training
support facilities for RAAF Security and Fire School, including new working and
training accommodation, a satellite specialist physical training facility and
refurbishment works to some existing working accommodation facilities to
improve functionality;
n New Mechanical Equipment and Operational Maintenance Section.
- this
project element will co-locate all units of the section into one compound and
provide additional workshop space, storage areas and working accommodation to
address the increasing demand for their support services. Facilities will
include a new maintenance shelter for vehicle maintenance and Ground Support
Equipment maintenance, office working accommodation, vehicle shelters and
storage areas;
n Passive Defence Augmentation.
- this
element of the project provides for perimeter fencing to enclose recently
constructed facilities delivered under the RAAF Base Amberley Redevelopment Stage
2 project and those facilities proposed under this project. This element will
include the reconfiguration of Base entrances, expansion, re-alignment and
upgrading of the Base perimeter fence and the installation of new physical and
electronic security technology;
n Refurbishments for RAAF Security Police.
- this
project element proposes minor refurbishment works to improve the functional
effectiveness of the building and includes the construction of a new briefing
room to facilitate formal instruction, an interview and emergency operations
room, an upgrade of the ablutions facilities and an upgrade of the physical
security of the building;
n New Military Working Dogs Accommodation.
- this
element of the project consists of new kennel facilities for the military
working dogs. It includes new kennels, running and training yards, isolation
kennels, food preparation areas, veterinary facilities and an administration
building for staff; and
n Engineering Services and Demolitions.
- this
project element supports all the other project elements with the necessary
engineering services including communications, sewer, water and electricity
supply, and where appropriate the demolition of redundant facilities.[6]
Options Considered
2.7
In considering the most cost effective way for this project to proceed,
the department considered the viability of adaptively re-using or refurbishing
existing facilities to reduce the need for new construction.
2.8
According to Defence, in most cases the option to re-use facilities was
not considered cost effective because of the age, structural inadequacy,
functional inadequacy or inappropriate location of the facilities. Accordingly
the Department has opted for new buildings located on greenfield sites.
2.9
Further, Defence states that a number of siting options were also considered
during the early planning of the project. These options were presented to a
Technical Site Selection Board, and the development of land use consistent with
the RAAF Base Amberley Zone and Precinct Plan was preferred.[7]
Project Delivery
2.10
Subject to Parliamentary approval of the project, construction of the
first elements is expected to commence in early 2008. All major works are
expected to be completed by late 2011.[8]
2.11
The proposed delivery system is by a series of Head Contracts. This methodology
has been selected on the basis of the scope, the need to minimise disruption to
base activities, the value of the works and any interdependencies with other
concurrent projects. A project manager has been engaged to represent Defence,
co-ordinate the works and act as Contract Administrator.[9]
Costs
2.12
The estimated out-turn cost of this project is $331.5 million (excluding
GST). This cost estimate includes the construction costs, management and
design fees, furniture, fittings and equipment, contingencies and an escalation
allowance.[10]