Purpose |
| 2.1 |
The purpose of this proposal is to provide facilities to support the introduction of the MRH90 (Multi-role Helicopter 90) aircraft.1 This will include the refurbishment, re-use and construction of facilities of the Army’s 5 Avn Regt facilities.2
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Need |
| 2.2 |
The 171 st Aviation Squadron has been relocated to Holsworthy Barracks and will be replaced at Townsville by a squadron equipped with the new MRH90 which “can carry troops, small vehicles or underslung cargo”.3 The MRH90 is being introduced under Defence Capability Plan Project Air 9000 (Phase 2).4
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| 2.3 |
The delivery of the MRH90 aircraft will be phased in over 18 months from December 2007. Defence plans to provide facilities progressively from July 2007 until February 2008.5
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Cost |
| 2.4 |
The estimated project cost is $20 million excluding GST. This figure includes:
- construction costs with fit-out;
- professional fees;
- furniture and fittings;
- information technology; and
- a contingency sum.6
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| 2.5 |
In addition, there will be a slight increase in the operating costs of RAAF Base Townsville. This increase can be attributed to “the energy, maintenance and garrison support cost for the new buildings”.7
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Scope |
| 2.6 |
Defence’s proposal involves:
- construction of a new purpose built building (Training and Mission Planning);
- refurbishment of existing buildings (aircraft shelters, repair parts store and workshops);
- extension of two buildings (to house repair parts administration, ground support equipment workshop and storage, and Draft Priority 1 equipment storage); and
- construction of car parking and engineering services infrastructure.8
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| 2.7 |
The details of the works are as follows:
- Aircraft Shelters – minor modifications;
- Technical Support Squadron Workshops – refurbishment and reconfiguration;
- Repair Parts Store – minor modifications and extensions for administration functions;
- Draft Priority 1 Store – a new extension for Draft Priority 1 storage;
- Ground Support Equipment – new extensions to provide a workshop and a storage facility;
- Mission Planning Facility / Army Aviation Training Facility – new combined facility; and
- car parking and infrastructure – new asphalt car park and services infrastructure including electrical, water and sewerage reticulation.9
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Project Delivery |
| 2.8 |
Defence submitted that, subject to Parliamentary approval, the project would commence in late 2006 with completion expected in early 2008.10
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| 2.9 |
Further, Defence stated that the project would be delivered using a Head Contractor delivery system as it feels that this delivery system is particularly suited to works, such as the current proposal, where the scope is well defined.11
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