Today, Mr Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works presented the Public Works Committee's third report of 2026 to the House of Representatives.
Report 3/2026 – Referrals made in November 2025 considers the following four proposed works:
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority—Great Barrier Reef Aquarium Redevelopment project for a total estimated cost of $161.1 million (excluding GST)
- Department of Defence—9 Molonglo Drive, Brindabella Park, Australian Capital Territory for a total estimated cost of 103.9 million (excluding GST)
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade—Australian High Commission Staff Residential Compound Refurbishment, Konedobu, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for a total estimated cost of $37.3 million (excluding GST)
- Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts—Fit-out of New Leased Premises at One City Hill, Canberra City for a total estimated cost of $46.4 million (excluding GST).
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority proposes to deliver a major redevelopment of the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium (formerly Reef HQ Aquarium). The Aquarium has not been significantly upgraded since its opening in 1987 and has experienced structural degradation and corrosion, leaving some structures non-compliant with current building standards. The proposal includes major works on the ground, first and second floors, and works on the external façade and frontage and will be centred a new world-class Coral Reef Exhibit.
The Department of Defence has proposed office fit-out works in Brindabella Park to allow it to consolidate four existing leases in the same precinct into one. With the consolidation, Defence will reduce its total leased office space in the precinct while updating the fit-out to comply with modern building standards and Defence security requirements.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's proposed works at the High Commission complex in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, will see 39 staff residences undergo the first major upgrade since being established 30 years ago. The proposed works will address safety risks to staff and their families and rising costs associated with ongoing routine maintenance and extend the life of the facility by at least 20 years.
The proposed works by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts are Stage 2 of the Department's precinct model consolidation. Stage 1 of the project was examined by the Committee last year and was approved by the House of Representatives in October 2025. The current proposed works will allow the Department to relocate from its current lease in the Nishi Building into new accommodation at One City Hill. The precinct model will enable the Department to reduce its Net Lettable Area in Canberra by 40 per cent.
For the inquiries into these proposed works, the Committee received submissions, held private briefings with relevant government officials and conducted public and private hearings. The Committee also had the opportunity to travel to Townsville to visit the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and see firsthand the conditions of the site and the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences to see some of the Aquarium's marine life temporarily stored there.
The Committee has recommended that the House of Representatives approves the proposed works. Mr Zappia said that 'in examining these works, the Committee gave consideration to the purpose, need, value for money, and present and prospective public value of each of them, as is our obligation under the Public Works Committee Act 1969. The Committee found that the proposed works have merit and should proceed.'
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.
