Today, Mr Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, presented the Public Works Committee’s sixth report of 2026 to the House of Representatives.
Report 6/2026 – Referrals made in May, June, and August 2026 considers five proposed major works:
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation—Campus Utilities Building Project, Lucas Heights
- Department of Defence—Facilities to Support Air Mission Training System Project [East Sale, Victoria]
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations—Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at London Central, 40-60 London Circuit, Canberra City
- Department of Defence—Facilities to Support AIR 6500 Integrated Air and Missile Defence Command and Control (Package 1) – RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory
- Australian Taxation Office—Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises, Festival Tower 2, King William Road, Adelaide.
The Committee has recommended that the House of Representatives approve each of the proposed works, with one additional recommendation relating to the Australian Taxation Office’s broader property management processes. Mr Zappia said that ‘the works considered by the Committee on this occasion are necessary and agencies have demonstrated that their proposals represent value for money for the Commonwealth’.
‘In relation to the proposed fit-out works by the ATO in Adelaide’, Mr Zappia continued, ‘the Committee heard during its inquiry that some people within the Adelaide community have concerns around the appropriateness of the Festival Tower 2 development. That development, however, is a matter for the South Australian Planning Commission and the Committee does not express an opinion on it.’
‘While the Committee is recommending expediency be granted by the House of Representatives for these proposed works, over the course of this and other recent referrals from the ATO, the Committee has developed concerns regarding the ATO’s overall approach to the identification of new sites and its exit strategies from leases of existing sites. For this reason, the Committee is additionally recommending that the Auditor-General considers conducting an audit into the management and administration of the ATO’s property portfolio, lease arrangements and location strategy.’
Background on the proposed works
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is proposing to replace the existing Low Voltage (LV) backup power network at its site at Lucas Heights, NSW, with a new, centralised High Voltage (HV) backup power network. The proposed works will address issues associated with the ageing existing system, including long lead times, technical obsolescence and increasing repair cost, and misalignment of the existing system with the future needs of the campus. The proposed works do not affect ANSTO’s OPAL multi-purpose reactor, which operates on a separate dedicated power network. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $31.02 million (excluding GST).
The Department of Defence is proposing works for the Air Mission Training Support project at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base at East Sale, Victoria. The proposed works will deliver necessary infrastructure to support the training of future Air Force personnel, including Mission Controllers, Mission Aircrew, Operations Officers, and Air Traffic Controllers. The proposed infrastructure will allow Defence to utilise new simulation systems, training techniques and additional trainee throughput. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $130.8 million (excluding GST).
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is proposing to fit-out 46,389 square metres of new leased premises at London Central, 40-60 London Circuit, Canberra City. The new premises will allow DEWR to consolidate staff from its existing five leases into one, accommodating approximately 4,393 staff from DEWR and the Department of Education. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $153.5 million (excluding GST).
The Department of Defence seeks parliamentary approval to deliver fit-for-purpose facilities and infrastructure at RAAF Base Darwin to support the AIR 6500 Integrated Air and Missile Defence Command and Control capability. The proposed works address investment priorities under the 2026 National Defence Strategy and the 2026 Integrated Investment program by providing facilities to support the Australian Defence Force’s air and missile defence capabilities. The work elements to be delivered include a new Operations Support Facility with secure briefing rooms, training rooms, working accommodation and maintenance and operational warehouse facilities, new vehicle shelters, and the upgrade of existing infrastructure to support additional buildings within the Base. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $299.1 million (excluding GST).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) seeks parliamentary approval to undertake a fit-out of 19,000 square metres across 11 floors of new leased premises at Festival Tower 2 in Adelaide City. The new accommodation will allow the ATO to reduce its office footprint in Adelaide from 31,488 square metres to 19,000 square metres and meet the Government’s occupational density target of no more than 14 square metres per occupied workpoint. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $73.4 million (excluding GST).
Please note: the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Enquiries on these matters should be directed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.
Media inquiries
Mr Tony Zappia MP, Chair of Standing Committee on Public Works
(08) 8265 3100
For background information
Committee secretariat
02 6277 4636
[email protected]
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