2.1

The purpose of the proposed works is to support the introduction of the new Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) capability and the establishment of the 20 th Surveillance and Tactical Acquisition (STA) Regiment at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, Queensland.

The TUAVs will be tailored for local area surveillance and enhance Australian Defence Force (ADF) aerial surveillance capabilities for land operations and selected maritime operations.¹

Need

The ADF will acquire twelve TUAVs, the first of which is expected to be in operational service in 2008.² The 20 th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment will operate the TUAVs, and facilities required for the air-vehicles will be located at Gallipoli Barracks.³

New construction as part of the proposed works will be limited to providing purpose-built facilities for TUAV maintenance and training requirements and the Regiment’s radar storage requirement. There are no existing Defence facilities suitable for re-use for the aforementioned functions.⁴

Scope

The proposed scope for the TUAV project will involve:

• the construction of three new purpose-built buildings and the refurbishment of one existing building to support the introduction and operation of the new TUAV;
• the refurbishment of eleven existing buildings and construction of one new building to support the establishment of the 20 th STA Regiment, including the existing 131 st STA Battery; and
• the refurbishment and extension of ten existing facilities to support the 25 th/49 th Battalion Royal Queensland Regiment.⁵

Project Delivery

A traditional head contract delivery system is proposed for the project. Defence selected this project delivery method as it believes that a head contract delivery system suits projects where the scope is well-defined and can be constructed unhindered by operational constraints.⁶ Subject to parliamentary approval, construction will commence in late 2006, for completion by October 2007.⁷ This completion date was amended at the public hearing to early 2008.⁸

Cost

The estimated cost of the proposed works is $17.45 million excluding GST. This figure includes:

• construction costs with fit-out;
• professional fees;
• furniture and fittings;
• information technology equipment; and
• a contingency sum.⁹

Appendix C, Submission No. 1, paragraph 5 Back

ibid, paragraph 6 Back

Appendix C, Submission No. 1, paragraph 15 Back