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Thursday, 7 July 2011
Page: 7993

Mr GRAY (Brand—Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity and Special Minister of State) (11:08): I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Development and construction of housing for the Department of Defence at Muirhead, Darwin, NT.

Defence Housing Australia, DHA, proposes to develop stages 2 to 7 of the Muirhead site, Darwin, Northern Territory, for residential construction. DHA will construct 279 houses for Defence members. Housing will accord with DHA’s national design and construction specifications for DHA residences. The total out-turn cost of the proposal is estimated at $410 million, inclusive of GST and land acquisition, with the net costs reduced through the sales of surplus lots.

In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed subject to the recommendations of the Committee. DHA accepts and will imple­ment those recommendations. Subject to parliamentary approval, DHA will deliver 279 dwellings for defence personnel posted in Darwin. The project will be delivered over an eight-year period, with the first house due for completion in December 2013. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.