1.1
Under the Public Works Committee Act 1969 (the Act), the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is required to inquire into and report on public works referred to it through either house of Parliament. Referrals are generally made by the Assistant Minister for Productivity.
1.2
All public works that have an estimated cost exceeding $15 million must be referred to the Committee and cannot be commenced until the Committee has made its report to Parliament and the House of Representatives receives that report and resolves that it is expedient to carry out the work.
1.3
Under the Act, a public work is a work proposed to be undertaken by the Commonwealth, or on behalf of the Commonwealth concerning:
the construction, alteration, repair, refurbishment or fitting-out of buildings and other structures;
the installation, alteration or repair of plant and equipment designed to be used in, or in relation to, the provision of services for buildings and other structures;
the undertaking, construction, alteration or repair of landscaping and earthworks (whether or not in relation to buildings and other structures);
the demolition, destruction, dismantling or removal of buildings, plant and equipment, earthworks, and other structures;
the clearing of land and the development of land for use as urban land or otherwise; and
any other matter declared by the regulations to be a work.
1.4
The Act requires that the Committee is to consider and report on:
the purpose of the work and its suitability for that purpose;
the need for, or the advisability of, carrying out the work;
whether the money to be expended on the work is being spent in the most cost effective manner;
the amount of revenue the work will generate for the Commonwealth, if that is its purpose; and
the present and prospective public value of the work.
1.5
The Committee pays attention to these and any other relevant factors when considering the proposed work.
Structure of the Report
1.6
The Minister for Small Business, The Hon Michael McCormack MP, referred the following proposed projects to the Committee:
Stage One of the Garden Island (East), Critical Infrastructure Recovery Program Project in Sydney;
Russell Offices Buildings 5 and 6, Infrastructure Upgrade Project at Russell in the Australian Capital Territory;
Geoscience Australia Main Building refresh, Symonston, Australian Capital Territory;
Hardening works at the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation Hardening Project, Broadmeadows, Victoria; and
Proposed upgrades to housing for Defence families at Seaward Village, Swanbourne, Western Australia.
1.7
In considering the works, the Committee analysed the evidence presented by the proponent agency, submissions and evidence received at public and in-camera hearings.
1.8
In consideration of the need to report expeditiously as required by Section 17(1) of the Act, the Committee has only reported on significant issues of interest or concern.
1.9
The Committee appreciates, and fully considers, the input of the community to its inquiries. Those interested in the proposals considered in this report are encouraged to access the full inquiry proceedings available on the Committee's website.
1.10
Chapter 2 addresses the proposed Stage One of the Garden Island (East), Critical Infrastructure Recovery Program Project, Sydney. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $213.4 million (excluding GST)
1.11
Chapter 3 addresses the proposed Russell Offices Buildings 5 and 6, Infrastructure Upgrade Project in Russell, Australian Capital Territory. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $75.4 million (excluding GST).
1.12
Chapter 4 addresses the proposed Geoscience Australia Building Main Building Refresh Project in Symonston, Australian Capital Territory. The estimated cost of this proposed works is $17.5 million (excluding GST).
1.13
Chapter 5 addresses the proposed hardening works at the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation Hardening Project, Broadmeadows, Victoria. The estimated cost of this proposed works is $29.067 million (excluding GST).
1.14
Chapter 6 addresses the proposed upgrades to housing for Defence families at Seaward Village, Swanbourne, Western Australia. The estimated cost of this proposed works is $48.3 million (including GST).
1.15
Submissions are listed at Appendix A, and hearings and witnesses are listed at Appendix B