Fit-out of New Leased Premises for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Civic, ACT

Purpose

DAFF proposes that the fit-out will provide a modern, efficient work environment, which will meet the Department’s needs for the next 15 years. The fit-out will be designed to reduce churn costs by adopting a modular, generic approach to the provision of workspaces and offices.¹ The new building will meet Commonwealth building, environmental and security standards and will take account of the occupational health and safety (OH&S) needs of staff.²

Need

The proposed relocation and fit-out has been prompted mainly by the condition of the EBB which is ageing and no longer meets current codes and standards in terms of:

• the Building Code of Australia (BCA);
• OH&S;
• access equity;
• ecological sustainability; and
• security.³

The need for the proposed new office facility has also been driven by an increase in staff numbers, and the approaching expiry of the EBB lease in February 2007.⁴

Scope

DAFF proposes to lease the whole of a new building at 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Civic, ACT, with overflow of office space into the adjacent building at 3-5 London Circuit, also known as the National Information and Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) building.⁵

The proposed fit-out works include:

• integration of services into base-building works including:
• electrical services;
• air conditioning;
• ventilation;
• lighting control;
• data communications;
• security services;
• fire services; and
• hydraulic services;
• office accommodation including:
• partitioning for individual offices;
• meeting and conference rooms;
• reception areas;
• utility and store rooms;
• training rooms;
• break-out and staff facility areas; and
• communication equipment rooms;
• workstations including desks and personal storage units; and
• loose furniture.⁶

Project Delivery

DAFF proposes to engage a developer to prepare the detailed design documentation and to construct the fit-out concurrently with the base-building. The developer will be required to comply with the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines in tendering the trade packages and will include the cost of this additional work in the management fee.⁷

Subject to parliamentary approval, the developer’s draft construction and integrated fit-out program will commence in March 2007 with a view to practical completion of both the base-building and integrated fit-out works by October 2007.⁸

Cost

The estimated cost of the proposed fit-out is $36 million, excluding GST. This figure includes:

• contingency;
• project management;
• design and documentation; and
• escalation to 2007.⁹

Appendix C, Submission No. 1, paragraph 1.1.4 Back

Appendix D, Official Transcript of Evidence, page 2 Back

Appendix C, Submission No. 1, paragraphs 1.2.7 and 1.2.8 Back

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Appendix C, Submission No. 1, paragraph 1.5.12 Back

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