Chapter 2 Introduction – Report of the Public Works Committee of the 41st
Parliament
Referral of Work
2.1
On 31 May 2007 a proposal for Land Engineering
Agency Test Services Relocation, Monegeetta, Victoria, was referred to the
Public Works Committee for consideration and report to the Parliament in
accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969
(the Act).[1] The proponent agency for
this work is the Department of Defence.
2.2
The Hon Peter Lindsay MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
Defence, informed the House that the estimated cost of the proposed work was $35.9
million excluding GST. Subject to parliamentary approval construction could
commence in early 2008 with completion in mid-2009.
Background
2.3
The Land Engineering Agency (LEA) is one of the four main business units
of Land Systems Division (LSD) within Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), and
has responsibility to ensure the technical integrity of equipment and hardware,
including vehicles of all description, weapons and tools, described by defence
as land materiel. LEA testing and evaluation activities at Maribyrnong are
conducted by two operational divisions:
n Land Combat Systems
(LCS); and
n Accredited Test
Services (ATS).[2]
Land Combat Systems
2.4
LCS provides a test and evaluation capability for small arms and
ammunition including safety assessment, acquisition support, reports on
defective or unserviceable materiel and provision of technical advice. LCS has
technical and engineering expertise in the core technologies associated with
Fire Support Systems including:
n large calibre weapons
systems;
n small arms weapons
systems;
n ballistic performance
and range safety; and
n explosive ordnance
systems.[3]
Accredited Test Services
2.5
ATS provides test and evaluation capability for electronic, mechanical,
and environmental evaluation of large scale land materiel. It also supports
LCS activities with test measurement. ATS also currently undertakes testing
activities at Monegeetta, at its Automotive and Electrical Performance
Laboratory (AEPL).
2.6
ATS is responsible for providing performance measurement and
environmental testing encompassing communications, electrical, electro-optics,
electromagnetic environmental effects, mechanical tests, environmental and
vehicle tests. ATS activities currently undertaken at Maribyrnong are
organised within two broad business units:
n Electronics and
Communications Laboratory (ECL); and
n Mechanical and
Environmental Laboratory (MEL).[4]
Site of Proposed Works
2.7
The site of the proposed infrastructure development is confined to the
existing defence site (Monegeetta Proving Grounds) at Monegeetta, Victoria, which is located in the Macedon Ranges Shire approximately 55 kilometres from Melbourne’s central business district.[5]
Inquiry Process
2.8
The Committee is required by the Act to consider public works over $15
million[6] and report to Parliament
on:
n the purpose of the
work and its suitability for that purpose;
n the need for, or the
advisability of, carrying out the work;
n whether the money to
be expended on the work is being spent in the most cost effective manner;
n the amount of revenue
the work will generate for the Commonwealth, if that is its purpose; and
n the present and
prospective public value of the work.[7]
2.9
The Committee called for submissions by advertising the inquiry in The
Weekend Australian and The Age on Saturday, 9 June 2007. The Committee also sought submissions from
relevant government agencies, local government, private organisations and
individuals, who may be materially affected by or have an interest in the proposed
work. The Committee subsequently placed submissions and other information
relating to the inquiry on its web site in order to encourage further public
participation.
Inspection and Hearing
2.10
On Friday 7 September 2007, the Committee inspected the site and
environs of the proposed works. A confidential hearing by officers of the
Department of Defence and a public hearing were held at Monegeetta later that
day.[8]