Chapter 2 RAAF Base Edinburgh Redevelopment Stage 2
2.1
The RAAF Base Edinburgh Redevelopment Stage 2 proposes to provide a
range of new refurbished facilities to meet the functional requirements of
several Air Force units, enhance base security and upgrade engineering services
at RAAF Base Edinburgh, Adelaide, South Australia.
2.2
The estimated cost of the project is $99.56 million (excluding GST).
2.3
The proposed RAAF Base Edinburgh Redevelopment Stage 2 was referred to
the Committee on 26 February 2009 by the Attorney General, the Hon Robert
McClelland MP for the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr
Mike Kelly MP.
Conduct of the inquiry
2.4
The inquiry was advertised in local and national newspapers and
submissions sought from those with direct interest in the project. The
Committee received two submissions, one supplementary submission and one
confidential supplementary submission regarding the project costs. A list of
submissions can be found at Appendix A.
2.5
The Committee undertook a site inspection on 21 April 2009 at RAAF Base
Edinburgh followed by a public hearing and in-camera hearing in Adelaide. A
list of inspections, hearings and witnesses can be found at Appendix B.
2.6
The transcript of the public hearing as well as submissions to the
inquiry is available on the Committee’s website.[1] Plans for the proposed
works are detailed in Submission 1, Department of Defence (Defence).
Need for works
2.7
The proposed redevelopment will support Defence capability by addressing
several facility deficiencies at RAAF Base Edinburgh (the Base) associated with
Air Force Units, Base security and engineering services. Defence states that
works are needed for:
n No. 462 Squadron facility
- No 462 Squadron is currently located in temporary facilities at the Defence
Reserve Depot at Allara Street Reid, Canberra. Government approval has been
given for the relocation of No 462 Squadron to Edinburgh. No 462 Squadron
requires a permanent facility for 100 personnel in the Electronic Warfare
Precinct at Edinburgh.
n No. 87 Squadron facility
- No 87 Squadron currently occupies an interim facility in the northern
domestic area of the base. To perform its role, No 87 Squadron requires a
permanent facility appropriate to its function.
n No. 92 Wing air crew
facilities - The existing air crew facilities used by No 92 Wing have a
number of deficiencies, some related to occupational health and safety, but
principally related to inadequate working space for the existing crew.
n No. 24 Squadron facilities
- The existing No 24 Squadron facilities do not meet the squadron’s training
and working accommodation needs. No 24 Squadron requires a range of
multi-purpose class rooms, areas for specialist training, training support and
administration to fulfil its training role.
n Air traffic control
tower - The current air traffic control tower has a range of occupational
health and safety deficiencies, including non-compliance with the Building Code
of Australia (BCA) and Defence’s Manual of Fire Protection Engineering (MFPE).
n Ordnance loading apron
- the Base has only one facility that is revetted and dedicated as an ordnance
loading apron (OLA). Two new purpose built OLAs are required to provide the
required capability.
n Passive defence upgrade
- Current passive defence features and measures do not meet contemporary
standards for providing the necessary security or access control to various
areas of the base.
n Engineering services
infrastructure - Some of the engineering services including roads,
hydraulic services, electrical services and communications are a legacy of the
original development of the base post World War II. Improvements to capacity
and the replacement of dilapidated services are required to provide reliable services.
n Demolition of facilities
- A number of buildings have either reached the end of their economic life or
are surplus to requirements. These buildings are not suitable for reuse to
satisfy project requirements.[2]
2.8
At its site inspection, the Committee observed that some facilities at
the Base are in need of repair and refurbishment and that other facilities are
no longer fit for purpose. The Committee also observed that personnel are
working in overcrowded, sub-standard conditions in some areas.
2.9
The Committee finds that there is a need for the proposed works.
Purpose and scope of the works
2.10
The proposed scope of the works is detailed in Submission 1, Department
of Defence.[3] The project includes nine
separate elements to address the stated needs.
n No. 462 Squadron facility
- provision of a new working accommodation facility for 100 personnel of No 462
Squadron which is being relocated from Canberra.
n No. 87 Squadron facility
- provision of a new working accommodation facility for 150 personnel.
n No. 92 Wing air crew
facilities - provision of new and upgraded facilities, including air crew
rooms, a reconfigured briefing room and a common room.
n No. 24 Squadron facilities
- provision of new and upgraded facilities, including office and training
facilities.
n Air traffic control
tower - provision of a new air traffic control tower, decommissioning of
the existing tower and demolition of the tower structure.
n Ordnance loading aprons
- provision of two new ordnance loading aprons each with access taxiways
suitable to accommodate aircraft up to the Orion AP-3C or similar.
n Passive defence upgrade
- provision of fixed and electronic security measures and improvements to base
entry points.
n Engineering services
infrastructure - upgrade to existing engineering services including water,
sewerage, stormwater drainage, communication systems, existing roads
infrastructure, and high voltage electrical services.
n Demolition of facilities
- demolition of redundant facilities.
2.11
The Committee notes that any budget savings made will be directed
towards the following deferred works:
n provision of new and
additional computers to support the capabilities of No 92 Wing air crew; and
n additional works at
the existing air traffic control tower to demolish the ground floor facilities
and build new facilities next to the proposed new air traffic control tower.[4]
2.12
The Committee considers these deferred works are an important part of
the project scope and should be undertaken if budget savings are met.
2.13
The Committee has assessed the purpose and scope of the works and finds
them suitable to provide the facilities necessary to meet the stated needs of
the RAAF Base Edinburgh Redevelopment Stage 2.
Cost of works
2.14
The total cost of this work is estimated to be $99.56 million (excluding
GST) which includes construction costs, professional fees, furniture, fittings
and equipment, information technology, demolition costs and a contingency
allowance.
2.15
The Committee received detailed cost plans for the project and held an
in-camera hearing with the Department of Defence on the full project costs.
2.16
The Committee was satisfied that the costings for the project as
provided to it are adequate and suitable contingency planning is in place to
ensure that the overall project is not compromised by budget overruns in any
one area.
Project Issues
Employment of local, youth and Indigenous workers
2.17
The Committee expressed interest in the numbers of local trades that might
be employed at the Base and the economic impact the project would have for the
local area. Defence noted that the Commonwealth procurement guidelines preclude
contracting activity towards any geographical sector of the market. However, Defence
also noted that more than 50 per cent of the work for the Hardened and Networked
Army (HNA) project[5] at the Base was
contracted to North Adelaide companies. Of the approximately 1300 workers
inducted to work on the site ‘about 40 per cent of those, or close to 600, are
from the North Adelaide region – all of them being from Adelaide itself.’[6]
2.18
Given that this redevelopment project will employ similar construction
techniques and skills to the HNA project, the Committee expects that local
companies and workers will continue to be competitive and welcomes this level
of employment activity in the Adelaide region.
2.19
Concerns were also raised about the provision of employment and training
opportunities targeted at youth and Indigenous workers. Again, the Committee
was told that under the Commonwealth procurement guidelines recruitment cannot
be restricted to any particular demographic. However, Defence noted that ‘20
apprentices, three graduates and a work experience person’[7]
are presently employed on site for the HNA project. In addition, approximately
17 per cent of the workers on site are aged 25 or younger.[8]
2.20
While the Committee acknowledges the restrictions of the Commonwealth
procurement guidelines, it strongly encourages the provision of training
opportunities on major Commonwealth construction projects.
Local traffic
2.21
Traffic congestion around the Base is a concern, particularly in the
mornings and evenings. The Committee queried the potential effects of the project
on local traffic. Defence acknowledged that traffic congestion is an issue
around the Edinburgh Defence Precinct. Defence is ‘currently involved in a road
study, principally for the commercial roads of Salisbury between Purling Avenue
and the Salisbury Highway, looking at and assessing the related options for
trying to alleviate that issue.’[9] The study is expected to
conclude within six months.
2.22
Upgrades to the entrances as part of this project and the HNA project
will divert future traffic away from the main gate and provide for the daily
traffic flow onto and off the base.
Electricity meters
2.23
Under the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) Policy,
Defence is required to progressively install sub-meters at relevant bases by
2011 as part of a coordinated programme to better monitor and manage energy.
Defence informed the Committee that a program is in place at Edinburgh to
progressively install electrical meters on existing facilities and buildings
being refurbished. All new structures will fully comply with the EEGO policy.[10]
Sustainable water use initiatives
2.24
The Committee expressed concern about the impact of the Base on local
potable water supplies. Defence informed the Committee that the base ‘will
continue to draw potable water from the local infrastructure’ however,
‘Defence’s strategy is to reduce our requirement for potable water over time by
eliminating all uses beyond those that strictly require potable water.’[11]
Defence aims to reduce demand for potable water on the base by 30 – 35 per cent
through a ‘stormwater retention system and the purchase of water from the
Salisbury aquifer recharge system in the event of no water being in [the]
system’[12].
2.25
New and redeveloped facilities will be connected to the non-potable
water supply provided by rainwater and stormwater collection and storage. No
greywater or blackwater recycling will be implemented.
Committee comment
Sustainable water use
2.26
While the Committee commends the environmentally sustainable initiatives
taken by Defence at RAAF Base Edinburgh, it encourages Defence to place greater
emphasis on greywater, water recycling and stormwater reuse initiatives in
future projects to reduce the impact of large defence bases on town water
supply.
2.27
The Committee regards this issue as an integral part of its consideration
of public works. In particular, all Commonwealth agencies involved in the
provision of public works should be aware of the Australian Government’s ‘Water
for the future’ policy[13] and the ‘Water
efficiency guide: office and public buildings’[14]. The Committee will
monitor progress towards this end in projects presented to it.
2.28
The ‘Water for the future’ policy has funded infrastructure and
innovations aimed at:
n taking action on
climate change;
n using water wisely;
n securing water
supplies; and
n supporting healthy
rivers.[15]
2.29
Under this policy there are a range of measures to encourage action by
households and businesses, such as support for projects using desalination,
recycling and stormwater harvesting[16] and rebates of up to
$500 for households to install tanks or greywater systems.[17]
2.30
The ‘Water efficiency guide: office and public buildings’ provides
practical guidance on the technical and behavioural opportunities that exist in
offices and public buildings for reducing water consumption and increasing
water reuse. [18]
For example, stormwater runoff collection, water‑wise landscaping and
installation of water efficient amenities and sub-meters.[19]
2.31
The Committee expects Commonwealth agencies to set an example for state and
local governments, corporations and households through implementing environmentally
sustainable initiatives in new buildings and redevelopments. Agencies can lead
by example by incorporating rainwater tanks, greywater systems and stormwater recycling
systems into infrastructure proposals.
Conclusion
2.32
The Committee notes that the age and size of the buildings and
facilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh, Adelaide, South Australia is contributing to
unacceptable working conditions for staff and that the need for redevelopment
is overdue.
2.33
Overall, the Committee is satisfied this project has merit in terms of
need, scope and cost.
2.34
Having examined the purpose, need, use, and public value of the work,
the Committee considers it is expedient that the proposed works proceed.
Recommendation 1 |
|
The Committee recommends that the House of Representatives
resolve, pursuant to Section 18 (7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969,
that it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work: RAAF Base
Edinburgh Redevelopment Stage 2, South Australia. |
Mark Butler MP
Chair
14 May 2009