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Chapter 4 Proposed redevelopment of the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.

4.1                   The proposed redevelopment of the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) aims to update and extend existing facilities, and provide new facilities, which will meet the needs of ADFA for coming decades.

4.2                   The proposal was referred to the Committee on 23 March 2011.

Conduct of the Inquiry

4.3                   The inquiry was advertised in The Australian newspaper. The Committee received one submission, and one confidential supplementary submission detailing the project costs. A list of submissions can be found at
Appendix A.

4.4                   The Committee undertook a site inspection, public hearing and an in-camera hearing on the project costs on 3 June 2011 in Canberra.

4.5                   The transcript of the public hearing as well as the submissions to the inquiry are available on the Committee’s website.[1] Plans for the proposed works are detailed in submission 1: Department of Defence (Defence).

Need for the works

4.6                   The submission from Defence states that the works are necessary in order to ensure that the facilities meet the education and training needs of ADFA, particularly given changes in teaching techniques and spatial requirements since its establishment in 1986. In addition, many of the other facilities – administrative, messing, accommodation and physical training – are in need of refurbishment due to their age.

4.7                   The Committee finds that there is a need for the works.

Scope of the works

4.8                   The proposed scope of the works is detailed in Submission 1: Defence. The project proposes the following works:

• five new teaching spaces for 30 to 60 students each;
  
  
• new 1,200 seat auditorium to replace the existing Adams Hall building, new indoor sports centre, and new overhead cover to the existing gymnasium form-up area;
  
  
• new battle physical training area;
  
  
• refurbishment of the teaching and lecture facilities in Buildings 30 and 32, of the Cadets’ Mess kitchen, servery and bar area, of the Divisional Officers’ working accommodation, and of the Chaplains’ offices and prayer room;
  
  
• refurbishment of the Other Ranks’ and Senior Non Commissioned Officers’ accommodation and new secure storage for cadets’ bikes and flammable goods storage within the cadets’ living-in accommodation precinct; and
  
  
• upgrade to the site services infrastructure for the new 1,200 seat auditorium, the new indoor sports centre and mechanical plant upgrades to five existing buildings.

4.9                   If Parliamentary approval is given, construction will commence in late 2011 and will be complete by the end of 2014.

4.10               The Committee finds that the proposed scope of works is suitable to meet the needs of the ADFA Redevelopment project.

Cost of the works

4.11               The total out-turn cost for this project is $98.5 million, excluding GST. The Committee received a confidential supplementary submission detailing the project costs and held an in-camera hearing with Defence on the project costs.

4.12               The Committee is satisfied that the costings for the project provided to it are adequate.

Committee comment

4.13               Overall, the Committee is satisfied that this project has merit in respect of need, scope and cost.

4.14               Having examined the purpose, need, use, revenue and public value of the works, the Committee considers that it is expedient that the proposed works proceed.