Mr SLIPPER (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration) (4:51 PM) —I move:

A Defence Housing Authority proposal to develop 90 apartments at 101 Carey Street in Darwin at a cost of $31 million was referred to the Public Works Committee on 2 September 1999. Following public hearings in Darwin and Canberra, the committee requested the Defence Housing Authority to redraft the original submission. The Defence Housing Authority reviewed the entire project and amended the scope of the proposal to 95 apartments at a revised cost of $27.5 million. These apartments will be housed in three adjacent tower blocks and will include parking and a recreational area. This proposal was resubmitted to the committee in April last year.

In its report tabled on 11 October 2000 the Public Works Committee made a number of recommendations requiring that the Defence Housing Authority undertake further development of the proposal before reporting back to the committee. The Defence Housing Authority provided a detailed response to the committee, addressing each of its recommendations. The Public Works Committee has concluded that the parliament should not delay the Defence Housing Authority board of directors from its final consideration of the proposal and that the board of directors will accept responsibility for the success or otherwise of this work—and I want to stress that point.

The Carey Street project is an element of the continuing effort of the Defence Housing Authority to meet the operational requirements of the Australian Defence Force in Darwin and reflects the need to replace older houses and provide wider client choice. The provision of apartment-style accommodation in the asset mix of the authority is desirable. For many service families the apartment style of accommodation is attractive, offering amenity advantages, minimal garden upkeep or maintenance and proximity to business centres offering spouse employment.

In other major Australian cities the Defence Housing Authority provides its Defence clientele with housing choices which include detached residences, townhouses and apartments. For example, in Sydney, secure inner city apartments with recreational facilities are available. The Defence Housing Authority will allocate at least 62 of the proposed 95 apartments to Defence tenants. The remaining 33 apartments will be either retained by the builder or sold into the private market.

In more detail, the project will include the construction of 95 apartments within three adjacent tower blocks; a recreational building with swimming pools and associated changing-toilet areas, barbecue areas and extensive breezeway areas; ancillary buildings such as services buildings, groundsman's store, refuse and apartment storage; car parking provision for occupants and visitors; and assorted site works, servicing and landscaping.

The estimate cost of the proposal is $27.5 million at April 2000 figures. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in May, with completion of the works required by the end of this year to meet the December 2002 posting cycle of the Australian Defence Force. In this time the Carey Street development will benefit the depressed construction industry in Darwin. I would, on behalf of the government, like to thank the committee for its support. I commend the motion to the House.