Proposal for critical safety works for the continued safe operation of the National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef, Reef HQ Statement of Evidence to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works Townsville, Qld February 2020 Reef HQ Critical Safety Works – Public Works Committee Referral Page 1 of 23 Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Purpose of the proposed works .............................................................................................................. 4 Identification of the Need ........................................................................................................................ 4 Background ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Need for the work .................................................................................................................................... 5 Description of the Proposal ..................................................................................................................... 6 Options considered ................................................................................................................................. 6 Other issues ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Heritage or geographical considerations ............................................................................................ 6 Environmental impact assessments ................................................................................................... 7 Key legislation ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Anticipated impacts on local community and mitigation measures .................................................... 7 Stakeholder consultations and resolution of concerns ....................................................................... 7 Scope of Works ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Details and reasons for project location .............................................................................................. 8 Description of works ............................................................................................................................ 8 Structural ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Mechanical services ...................................................................................................................... 11 Electrical services ......................................................................................................................... 12 Security measures ........................................................................................................................ 12 Fire protection ............................................................................................................................... 13 Materials and furnishings .............................................................................................................. 13 Hydraulic services ......................................................................................................................... 13 Civil Works .................................................................................................................................... 13 Other types of works ..................................................................................................................... 14 Environmental sustainability.............................................................................................................. 14 Energy targets ............................................................................................................................... 14 Measures to reduce energy and water use ................................................................................... 14 Re-use of existing structures ......................................................................................................... 14 Demolition and disposal of existing structures .............................................................................. 14 Master and site planning, including details of future developments ................................................. 14 Provisions for people with disabilities ............................................................................................... 15 Childcare provisions .......................................................................................................................... 15 Work health safety measures............................................................................................................ 15 Any components which fall outside the required scope of works but which may be included later, pending available funds .................................................................................................................... 15 Cost effectiveness and public value ...................................................................................................... 16 Outline of project costs ...................................................................................................................... 16 Details of the project delivery method ............................................................................................... 16 Reef HQ Critical Safety Works – Public Works Committee Referral Page 2 of 23 Risks .............................................................................................................................................. 16 Construction program ........................................................................................................................ 17 Public value ....................................................................................................................................... 17 Revenue ............................................................................................................................................ 18 Appendix 1. Photos of some of the key elements of the proposed works ............................................ 19 Reef HQ Critical Safety Works – Public Works Committee Referral Page 3 of 23 Proposal for critical safety works for the continued safe operation of the National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef, Reef HQ Summary 1. The Australian Government, represented by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Authority), is responsible for the care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. 2. This submission by the Authority provides evidence to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (PWC) on the proposed critical safety works to ensure the continued safe operation of the National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef, Reef HQ (the proposed works). 3. Ageing and increasingly unreliable assets continue to impact the Australian Government’s capacity to safely and effectively provide education and informational services at Reef HQ to inform the local, regional, national and internal community about the Great Barrier Reef, the management in place to protect and conserve it as well as what people can do locally to help the Reef. 4. The proposed works will provide a significant positive impact by addressing safety and operational risks to the Australian Government and ensuring the adequacy of critical infrastructure. The proposed works will also promote the continued social and economic benefits to the local Townsville community. Purpose of the proposed works 5. The proposal will address identified safety and operational concerns associated with Reef HQ’s ageing infrastructure, in order to allow for the facility’s continued safe operation. This in turn will allow for the continued provision of the provision of educational and informational services to the wider community. Identification of the Need Background 6. Reef HQ was opened in 1987 as a bi-centennial community project to create a living example of a coral reef on land, a place to showcase science and deliver education about marine science, heritage and other Reef values. It had an expected life of 25 – 50 years. After 32 years in a harsh tropical climate, physical deterioration has reached the point where serious risks are emerging and supporting infrastructure is now in many ways not compliant with current Australian standards. 7. Reef HQ is the Australian Government's "National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef" and is recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence in environmental education. The education programs at Reef HQ provide a highly efficient mechanism for influencing community perceptions about the Reef on all scales (local, regional, national and international). Reef HQ facilitates such programs and is essential for the Authority to achieve its Reef HQ Critical Safety Works – Public Works Committee Referral Page 4 of 23 strategic policy outcome of providing for educational and information services in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. Reef HQ provides a living example