Mr SLIPPER (5:16 PM) —I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: CSIRO Riverside Corporate Park, North Ryde, NSW—Joint Research Complex for CSIRO Molecular Science and Food Science Australia.

CSIRO proposes to construct a new joint complex for its Division of Molecular Science and Food Science Australia at Riverside Corporate Park, North Ryde, New South Wales. The proposed works are a further stage in the major redevelopment of the CSIRO site at North Ryde into a high technology business park, `Riverside Corporation Park', which will incorporate both CSIRO research and development facilities and compatible private industry technology developments.

The new complex will replace predominantly old and substandard existing facilities at North Ryde that are now inadequate for conducting modern scientific research. This project will establish and consolidate new replacement research facilities for Food Science Australia—an incorporated joint venture between CSIRO, the Australian food industry science centre and the Division of Molecular Science—within the central CSIRO precinct at Riverside Corporate Park.

The new facilities will provide accommodation for some 220 Food Science Australia and Division of Molecular Science staff plus long-term visitors and students. It will also provide amenities, support services and infrastructure which will be shared among all CSIRO divisions within the central precinct of Riverside Corporate Park. The new research facilities will consist of modern laboratories, laboratory special suites, support areas, laboratory offices, industrial scale process bays, as well as accommodation for the management and administration staff.

The joint facilities to be shared among all CSIRO divisions on the site include a library, a canteen, a 140-seat auditorium and a central reception area as well as common stores for both hazardous and non-hazardous goods and general consumables. Associated infrastructure—including fully networked computing capabilities, a comprehensive access control security system and a building maintenance system—will be included in the project. Associated site works will include roads, car parking, site engineering services and landscaping. Substandard, temporary and redundant existing buildings located on the site of the new complex will be demolished. The project has a budget of $49 million. Subject to parliamentary approval, tenders are expected to be called early in the year 2000 with completion of construction in late 2001. I commend the motion to the House.

Question resolved in the affirmative.