Redevelopment of Kokoda Barracks, Canungra , Queensland

Purpose

The proposed development will provide working and domestic accommodation and engineering services infrastructure required for the ongoing delivery of effective training at the Canungra Military Training Area.¹ Redevelopment involves:

• correction of working and training accommodation deficiencies;
• rationalisation of messing facilities;
• improvements to living-in accommodation for trainees;
• upgrading of the engineering services infrastructure; and
• disposal of redundant, high maintenance facilities.²

Need

Buildings, facilities and infrastructure at Kokoda Barracks are ageing, do not meet current codes and standards and require redevelopment and upgrading. Training requirements, mentioned in the Defence White Paper Defence 2000 and considered a part of the Fundamental Inputs to Capability (FIC), reinforce the need to maintain intelligence training and associated facilities at Kokoda Barracks.³

Over 70 per cent of the buildings at Kokoda Barracks were constructed before 1975. Most of the pre-1975 buildings are timber-framed construction, clad with either timber or metal sheeting which require higher maintenance costs for structural repairs and repainting and are susceptible to termite damage. Most of the facilities, particularly those used for training delivery are equipped with outdated technology, do not meet Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) standards, and require high levels of maintenance.⁴

While the existing services infrastructure remains operational, it is ageing and some services such as water reticulation and sewer works require replacement or significant upgrade.

The efficient use of many buildings is no longer possible because of:

• an increase in personnel numbers;
• changes in functional requirements; and
• advances in training methodology.⁵

Scope

The proposed redevelopment of Kokoda Barracks involves:

• construction of six new assets;
• extensions to four existing assets;
• upgrading of thirteen existing assets;
• OH&S rectification of six assets;
• new and upgraded infrastructure services; and
• the removal of and disposal of about twenty-six redundant facilities.⁶

Project Delivery

Cost

The estimated outrun cost of the proposed redevelopment of Kokoda Barracks is $86.7 million, excluding GST. This figure includes:

• construction costs with fit out;
• professional fees;
• furniture and fittings; and
• a contingency sum.⁹