Page 3274 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
procurement, risk management and financial issues. This work represents an ongoing development and review process that has been undertaken over a number of years.
This information, where it is not commercial-in-confidence, is publicly available on the Economic Development Directorate’s website. It has also been provided to Assembly members during this year’s estimates hearings. The information clearly demonstrates the depth of analysis that informs the government’s 2011-12 budget announcements. Given the level of scrutiny and analysis already applied to this project, the government does not support its re-prosecution through the public accounts committee.
The committee’s second recommendation asks for an assessment of the opportunity cost of the project against other significant infrastructure projects. This suggests that accommodating ACT public servants in higher standard accommodation will come at the cost of other projects or initiatives. This is not the case. The government is committed to pursuing a good outcome for its employees and we are determined to get the best value for taxpayers. I have indicated that we will market test the delivery of new office accommodation in Gungahlin and Civic.
It is important to state that the government’s immediate priority is the delivery of the Gungahlin project. We will shortly invite organisations to register their interest in designing and building the office block proposed for Gungahlin, as well as the one proposed for the city, to the specifications already established by our consulting team. After exploring a range of financing and ownership options for new accommodation, our consultants have advised government the most cost-effective way to do this is for the government to own and build the office block.
However, I want this advice tested in the marketplace. The ACT Property Council have stated that this is a sensible and pragmatic approach. The Property Council believe that their members can meet the government’s accommodation needs in Gungahlin and Civic in a cost-effective manner by building and owning properties which the ACT government would rent for a period of 25 years. Given the importance I place on getting the best value for money, I want to give the property industry the opportunity to deliver.
Madam Assistant Speaker, the government will make its final decision based on the best overall value to the ACT taxpayer, including build cost, environmental performance, occupational health and safety issues for staff, running costs, efficiencies to be gained by having key public servants in the same location, as well as Labor’s commitment that a minimum of 10 per cent of workers on the project will be apprentices, trainees and Indigenous people.
Recommendation 3 suggested that a government office accommodation strategy should be finalised before a decision is made on the government office building. The future office accommodation strategy is obviously influenced by the government’s decision to locate new facilities in Gungahlin and Civic. This will see significant consolidation of current office accommodation and changes our previous requirements for refits, refurbishments and relocations.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video