On 1 July 2024 the Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Mr Graham Perrett MP, presented the fifth Public Works Committee Report of 2024 to the House of Representatives.
This report considers six proposals referred to the Committee between November 2023 and March 2024 with a combined value of more than two point one billion dollars. One of the projects, to demolish and replace living-in accommodation at ADFA, makes up half of the combined value at just over one billion dollars.
The Committee’s report notes that the ADFA accommodation is no longer fit for purpose and needs replacement. However, the report recommends that Defence improve the proposal by working with the National Capital Authority to increase the height of each building, install electric vehicle chargers, and consider design changes to reduce operating costs. Although Defence states that the re-design will assist in reducing incidents of unacceptable behaviour, the Committee expects Defence to improve behaviour through social education and fostering cultural change and not rely on an improved building layout.
This project was referred to the Committee at an early design stage and has not yet received National Capital Authority approval. The Committee has recommended that Defence always refer any future projects at a design level of 50 per cent or greater to prevent major design changes from occurring during the inquiry process.
Mr Perret MP said ‘There is a clear need to provide fit-for-purpose accommodation for ADFA trainees to maintain the capability of the ADF.’
Report 5 / 2024 also recommended that the following projects be approved:
- Parks Australia — Mutitjulu Essential Services project
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs — Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra
- Department of Finance – Proposed Fit-out of New Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Perth, Western Australia
- Department of Defence — Albury Wodonga Military Area Redevelopment project
- Department of Defence —RAAF Base Wagga Redevelopment Project
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