Chapter 6 Redevelopment of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan

6.1                   On 22 October 2009, the Committee received a referral to inquire into the redevelopment of Tarin Kowt Stage 1 project. The project proposes to provide upgraded living and working accommodation and facilities for Australian personnel deployed to Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.

6.2                   The Committee received a confidential submission from the Department of Defence (Defence) on the proposal. The Committee held both a short public hearing and an in-camera hearing on 29 October 2009 in Canberra. Submissions are listed at Appendix A and a list of witnesses at the public hearing can be found at Appendix B.

6.3                   Between the referral of Stage 1 to the Committee and the in-camera hearing, Stage 2 of the proposed redevelopment received Government funding approval. The Committee therefore received a detailed briefing on both stages and agreed to consider the project as a whole.

6.4                   The Committee’s findings are based on scrutiny of the project in detail. However, release of detailed information on the project is considered to be contrary to the public interest and therefore the Committee is reporting only in a limited manner.

Need and scope

6.5                   The proposed works aim to replace interim accommodation by providing protected working and living accommodation and kitchen facilities for Australian forces deployed to Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.

6.6                   The Committee finds there is a need for the proposed works and the scope is appropriate to meet the project needs.

Cost

6.7                   The total estimated cost of the project is $86.47 million (excluding GST). The Committee received a confidential supplementary submission detailing the project costs and took evidence in the in-camera hearing regarding the project costs.

6.8                   The Committee finds that the cost estimates provided to it are adequate to meet the needs of the redevelopment of Tarin Kowt proposal.

Committee comment

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

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