On 1 July 2024 the Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Mr Graham Perrett MP, presented the fifth Public Works Committee Report of 2024 to the House of Representatives.

Media release issue date: Monday, 1 July 2024

On 1 July 2024 the Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Mr Graham Perrett MP, presented the fifth Public Works Committee Report of 2024 to the House of Representatives. This report considers six proposals referred to the Committee between November 2023 and March 2024 with a combined value of more than two point one billion dollars. One of the projects, to demolish and replace living-in accommodation at ADFA, makes up half of the combined value at just over one billion dollars. The Committee’s report notes that the ADFA accommodation is no longer fit for purpose and needs replacement. However, the report recommends that Defence improve the proposal by working with the National Capital Authority to increase the height of each building, install electric vehicle chargers, and consider design changes to reduce operating costs. Although Defence states that the re-design will assist in reducing incidents of unacceptable behaviour, the Committee expects Defence to improve behaviour through social education and fostering cultural change and not rely on an improved building layout. This project was referred to the Committee at an early design stage and has not yet received National Capital Authority approval. The Committee has recommended that Defence always refer any future projects at a design level of 50 per cent or greater to prevent major design changes from occurring during the inquiry process.   Mr Perret MP said ‘There is a clear need to provide fit-for-purpose accommodation for ADFA trainees to maintain the capability of the ADF.’ Report 5 / 2024 also recommended that the following projects be approved: Parks Australia — Mutitjulu Essential Services project Department of Veterans’ Affairs — Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra Department of Finance – Proposed Fit-out of New Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Perth, Western Australia Department of Defence — Albury Wodonga Military Area Redevelopment project Department of Defence —RAAF Base Wagga Redevelopment Project For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4636 pwc@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Under the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works will consider two new proposed works

Media release issue date: Friday, 1 March 2024

Under the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works will consider two new proposed works: Parks Australia – Muṯitjulu Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Northern Territory, Essential Services Project – $91.87million The Director of National Parks (DNP), within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) portfolio, is responsible for the provision (supply and maintenance) of essential power, water, and sewer services to the Muṯitjulu community. The works will upgrade and replace essential power, water and sewer services supporting the Muṯitjulu community as the existing services are over 30 years old, non-compliant with current Australian standards and have become increasingly unreliable.  Department of Finance — Proposed Fit-out of New Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Perth, Western Australia – $38.2 million The current fitout of the Perth Offices are aged, no longer fit for purpose and the business requirements. A new Perth site will provide compliant, modern and secure facilities that support and facilitate government business efficiently and effectively. The new fitout will be an increase NLA from 2,052 m2 to 3,998 m2 to allow for increased staff, offices and secure facilities (not available in the existing Offices) to meet current and future demands. It is anticipated that the Committee will conduct public and in-camera hearings for the inquiries in 2024. The Committee would like to hear from all individuals or organisations interested in the project. The deadline for public submissions is 27 March 2024, with more information available on the Public Works Committee website. Mr Graham Perret MP, Committee Chair said, ‘public submissions and the public hearings will allow the Committee to review the purpose, need and public value of the proposed works.’ Please note: the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Inquiries on these matters should be addressed to the relevant Commonwealth entities. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4636 pwc@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.