Chapter 2 The Proposed Works

Purpose

2.1                   The RAAF College Relocation Project comprises the relocation of:

n  RAAF College Headquarters from Point Cook to RAAF Base Wagga, NSW;

n  The OTS from Point Cook to RAAF Base East Sale, Vic; and

n  1RTU from RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA, to RAAF Base Wagga.[1]

2.2                   The purpose of the proposed works is to:

n  replace aged facilities and infrastructure;

n  ensure compliance with current Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) standards;

n  produce cost efficiencies;

n  address deficiencies associated with overcrowding and the dysfunctional layout of existing facilities.[2]

2.3                   Defence has submitted that the proposed work will also support the Government’s commitment to regional Australia.[3]

Need

2.4                   The RAAF College Relocation Project was prompted by:

n  the Defence Efficiency Review, which found that cost efficiencies could be achieved through the closure of Point Cook Base, Vic;

n  Defence policy, which seeks to decrease the number of bases across Australia; and

n  the inadequacy of the existing 1RTU facilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh.[4]

Options Considered

2.5                   The decision to relocate RAAF College units to RAAF Bases East Sale and Wagga was based upon Defence planning, which has identified these bases for long-term retention as RAAF training centres.[5]

2.6                   While neither RAAF Base East Sale nor RAAF Base Wagga have current Master Plans, siting of individual facilities has been confirmed by Site Selection Boards.  A Master Plan for RAAF Base East Sale is in development.[6]  Defence’s main submission to the inquiry stated that scope elements for the project had been

…tested via a process of examining various options, vetting with user input and design consultant analysis.[7] 

2.7                   This process involved the consideration of such factors as:

n  adaptive reuse of existing facilities;

n  obtaining the best mix of room sizes and types;

n  alternative storage solutions;

n  compatibility of proposed facilities with tasks undertaken;

n  functional relationships between facilities elements;

n  flexibility of design;

n  whole-of-life environmentally sustainable design;

n  capacity of services and infrastructure;

n  durability and maintenance requirements of materials; and

n  appropriate landscaping.[8]

Scope        

2.8                   It is proposed that works to provide for the RAAF OTS at RAAF Base East Sale would comprise:

n  purpose-built Staff and Administration Headquarters;[9]

n  purpose-built Officer Training School facilities;[10]

n  purpose-built external and physical training facilities;[11]

n  purpose-built living-in accommodation for the Officer Training School, comprising four two-storey buildings with 30 beds each;[12]

n  new combined all-ranks mess;[13] and

n  domestic support facilities, including upgraded clothing store and additional car-parking.[14]

2.9                   Construction of facilities for the Headquarters RAAF College and 1RTU at RAAF Base Wagga would comprise:

n  refurbishment of existing building to provide administrative facilities for the Headquarters RAAF College;[15]

n  administration and training facilities for the 1RTU, including Staff and Administration Headquarters, classrooms and an indoor physical training area;[16]

n  purpose-built external training facilities;[17]

n  purpose-built living-in accommodation for 1RTU, consisting of three two-storey buildings and a single-storey building for Specialised Training Section recruits and the Military Skill Instructor course, communal recreation facility and minor refurbishment of existing living-in accommodation for senior non-commissioned officers;[18] and

n  base domestic support, including refurbishment of airmen’s mess kitchen and servery, extension and refurbishment of medical and dental facilities, new psychological unit accommodation, new ground training equipment store, minor upgrades to registry and stores, and some additional car-parking.[19]

2.10               Defence proposed that associated upgrades to engineering services to provide for the new and expanded facilities will be executed at both bases.  This would include works to:

n  hydraulic services;

n  sewerage lines;

n  water and stormwater reticulation;

n  fire services;

n  electrical services; and

n  data and communications systems.[20]

2.11               The relocation project will leave vacant some facilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh that may be available for demolition following the conduct of an asbestos survey.  Defence’s main submission reported that specific buildings to be demolished had not yet been identified as RAAF Base Edinburgh is currently undergoing a comprehensive heritage survey.[21]

Project Delivery

2.12               Subject to parliamentary approval, it is anticipated that works would commence at both East Sale and Wagga in late 2005, with completion by the end of 2008.[22]