Public Works Committee Recommends A348 Million Major Australian Infrastructure Projects

Canberra - The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has urged the House of Representatives to approve four significant Commonwealth projects, including a major redevelopment of the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium in Townsville, office consolidations for Defence, a key government department in Canberra and upgrades to diplomatic staff housing in Papua New Guinea.

In its third report of 2026, tabled on Monday, May 25, by Committee Chair Tony Zappia, the panel examined referrals from November 2025 with a combined estimated cost of approximately A$348.7 million.

The Committee concluded that all four proposals demonstrate merit, offering value for money and long-term public benefit.

“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,” Zappia said.

“The Committee found that the proposed works have merit and should proceed," he said.

The largest project is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s proposed A$161.1 million redevelopment of the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, formerly Reef HQ Aquarium, in Townsville.

Opened in 1987, the facility has suffered structural degradation and corrosion, with some elements no longer compliant with current building standards.

The redevelopment will involve major works across the ground, first and second floors, as well as the external façade.

Central to the project is a new world-class Coral Reef Exhibit.

Committee members conducted a site visit to Townsville, inspecting the aquarium and viewing some of its marine life temporarily housed at the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

The second is the Department of Defence which is seeking approval for a A$103.9 million office fit-out at 9 Molonglo Drive in Brindabella Park, Australian Capital Territory.

The works will enable the consolidation of four existing leases in the precinct into a single facility.

This move is expected to reduce Defence’s total leased office space while delivering a modern fit-out that meets contemporary building standards and enhanced security requirements.

In Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade plans a A$37.3 million refurbishment of 39 staff residences at the Australian High Commission compound in Konedobu as the third project.

The residences, established around 30 years ago, are undergoing their first major upgrade.

The project aims to address safety risks to Australian staff and their families, mitigate rising maintenance costs and extend the facility’s life by at least another 20 years.

The fourth proposal involves Stage 2 of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts’ precinct consolidation strategy.

At an estimated cost of A$46.4 million, the Department will fit out new leased premises at One City Hill in Canberra City.

This follows Stage 1, which was approved by the House in October 2025.

Upon completion, the Department will relocate from the Nishi Building, achieving an overall reduction of 40 per cent in its Net Lettable Area across Canberra.

The Committee received written submissions, conducted private briefings with officials and held both public and private hearings for each referral.

It has formally recommended that the House of Representatives approve all four works.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works operates under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

 It examines proposed public works referred by the Parliament but does not participate in tendering processes, contract awards, or detailed project specifications.