Heritage Issues

The main Entomology Building at the CSIRO Black Mountain Campus (Building 101) was constructed in 1929 and is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List due to its historical, aesthetic and social value. Features deemed to be of particular significance include the building’s typology, its façade and elements of its interior, including the foyer, corridors, the parquetry floor and some timberwork.¹ CSIRO intends that the proposed works will enhance the heritage aspects of the property.²

The Committee was interested to learn how the proposed construction and refurbishment would impact upon the identified features and how the heritage value of the building had been taken into account in the planning of the works. CSIRO explained that heritage considerations had been paramount in its planning and that it would seek to minimise the impact of the new structure upon the existing building. CSIRO envisages that enhancements to the heritage features of Building 101 will be achieved by removal of later additions to the structure, retention of existing doorways and timberwork, refurbishment of the façade and enhancement of the main public address.³

Geotechnical Issues

CSIRO reported that a preliminary geotechnical survey of the proposed site revealed the underlying rock strata to be comprised of Flanglomerate, in which the footings of the proposed new building are to be based. CSIRO added that:

…a detailed site specific geotechnical investigation is currently being carried out in order to complete the design for the footings and the pavement systems”.⁴

At the public hearing the Committee inquired whether the detailed, site-specific investigation had been completed, and whether any unforseen difficulties or costs may arise due to the geotechnical conditions of the site. CSIRO replied that some additional studies had been done, and that, having defined the building footprint, it intended to undertake further analysis. Results to date had indicated that the soil profile of the building site was consistent with other areas of the campus and the CSIRO was confident that the costs for earthworks and footings could be accommodated within the proposed budget.⁵

Amenity for Occupants

Barrier-free Access

The Committee was pleased to note that the works proposed by CSIRO would significantly improve barrier-free access to the Entomology Division’s building through the installation of a ramp, lifts, accessible toilets, hearing augmentation in seminar facilities and provision of adjustable desks and benches.⁶

Space per Employee

…the area per person we have determined for the new facility and support at 50 square metres per person is consistent with what we would expect in any of our other facilities.⁷

Car-parking and Bike Lockers

The CSIRO confirmed that there is sufficient car-parking available at the Black Mountain campus to cater for any increase in staff numbers contingent upon completion of the construction project. CSIRO added that it may also increase the number of bike lockers to meet staff requirements.⁸

Consultation

At the public hearing, CSIRO elaborated on the consultation undertaken with staff and staff associations in respect of the proposed development. CSIRO reported that the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) representative was a member of the project control group, ensuring staff association representation throughout the design development.⁹

Noting that the proposed works will involve the relocation of some 22 CSIRO staff from premises in Gungahlin, ACT, the Committee sought to ensure that this matter had been adequately canvassed with the persons affected. CSIRO responded that the relocation of those staff had already commenced and whilst they were not consulted as a distinct group, they had been included in the general consultative process.¹⁰

Removal of Hazardous Materials

Ecologically Sustainable Development

The CSIRO intends that the new Entomology Bioscience facilities will incorporate a range of active and passive energy conservation measures and initiatives to minimise environmental impacts.¹³ At the public hearing, the Committee invited CSIRO to elaborate on some of the ecologically sustainable development (ESD) proposals. The CSIRO responded that it has a very strong sustainable development policy and that all proposed ESD measures would be tested and validated for operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Initiatives to be incorporated in the new facilities include:

• harvesting and re-use of rainwater for toilet services and irrigation;
• solar-heated hot water with gas-fired booster heaters;
• installation of energy-efficient lighting, appliances, plant and equipment; and
• solar orientation to maximise penetration of natural light in office areas.¹⁴

The Committee was also interested to know what overall energy rating the new facility would achieve, and whether the CSIRO had consulted with the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) in respect of the proposed works. The CSIRO explained that while existing energy rating schemes refer to office buildings and are not applicable to laboratories, it is currently working with the AGO to determine appropriate energy use targets for laboratory facilities.¹⁵

Statutory Approvals

Department of Environment and Heritage

The CSIRO’s main submission records that a formal application regarding the proposed works has been lodged with the Environment Minister under the terms of the EPBC Act [Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999].¹⁶ The Committee questioned the CSIRO as to the progress of this application, and its potential impact upon the project schedule. CSIRO replied that it was engaged in consultation with the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH), and had submitted that the proposed works did not constitute a controlled action under the terms of the EPBC Act. CSIRO reported that it had supplied all requisite information and was currently awaiting the Department’s decision, but did not anticipate any delays.¹⁷

Subsequent to the public hearing, the CSIRO provided the Committee with a copy of a letter from the DEH stating that the proposed works do not constitute a controlled action under the terms of the EPBC Act.

National Capital Authority

The Committee expressed concern that, at the time of the public hearing, formal NCA approval of the CSIRO’s plans had not been granted, and queried whether this may delay the works. The CSIRO assured the Committee that consultation with the NCA was ongoing and that the Authority had given ‘in-principle’ support to the project, based on preliminary designs. The CSIRO expressed confidence that final NCA endorsement would be obtained in a timely manner.¹⁹ A spokesperson for the NCA confirmed that the CSIRO had successfully completed the first stage of the NCA’s two-step approval process, adding that:

Except for minor details that we have not received at this point in time, the proposal as it is looks fine and is able to be approved.

The Committee was somewhat concerned to note that the NCA can not approve the proposed works until it has received the determination of the DEH in respect of the EPBC Act.²⁰ The NCA responded that it expected the DEH decision to be made in about a week, and did not anticipate any delay to its own approval process.²¹ The CSIRO subsequently forwarded to the Committee a copy of a letter from the NCA expressing the Authority’s in-principle support of the project.

The NCA reported that a key consideration in its assessment of the building had been the parapet height of the heritage-listed Building 101. The Authority expressed approval of the CSIRO’s efforts to maintain the height of the new building and plant room at a level which would not impact visually upon the heritage façade, adding that the only unresolved design consideration was the height of the new exhaust flues, which would be the subject of further negotiation.²² In response, the CSIRO referred to specific laboratory standards requirements governing the provision of flues, stating that the proposed flues represented the optimum height for their function. The CSIRO is, however, willing to discuss the matter further with the NCA.²³

Project Schedule

CSIRO anticipates that construction will commence early in 2006, with completion in 2007.²⁴ In order to minimise disruption to research activities, the CSIRO intends to execute the works in stages, as follows:

• demolition of existing redundant structures;
• construction of new Building 179; and
• refurbishment of buildings 101 and 135.²⁵

The Committee sought assurance that the project would be completed within the projected time-frame, including all relevant statutory approvals processes. To this end, the Committee requested that CSIRO provide a project schedule including approvals and other major project milestones. A project schedule was forwarded to the Committee by the CSIRO on 8 July 2005.

Costs

The Committee wished to know how the cost of the proposed refurbishment of Building 135 to meet modern laboratory standards compared with the provision of comparable facilities in the newly-constructed Building 179. The Committee inquired whether it would be more cost-effective to accommodate all laboratory staff in the new building. CSIRO explained that, as staff may move between the two buildings, it was important for all facilities to satisfy contemporary standards for PC2 laboratories.²⁶

In response to a request made by the Committee following the confidential briefing on project costs, the CSIRO provided a detailed breakdown of budgeted professional fees.

HonJudiMoylan MP
Chair
17 August 2005