Defence Force School of Signals Redevelopment, Simpson Barracks, Watsonia, Victoria

Purpose

Defence submitted that the purpose of the proposal is to:

provide facilities that will improve the effective delivery of joint Communications and Information Systems (CIS) training at the DFSS campus at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia.¹

Further, Defence added that the proposal is expected to improve command and control, knowledge and resource sharing and the development of interoperability.²

Need

In its Statement of Evidence, Defence submitted that in 2002 demand for training at the DFSS was 2,000 students. However, it added that this has increased to over 5,000 students in 2005 and it is expected to further increase in the next 10 years due to the introduction of new capabilities.³

Additionally, Defence stated that the location of the DFSS across three campuses had impacted on the operation of the DFSS. These impacts included:

• limitation of joint and networked training;
• increased operating costs;
• constraints of command and control, knowledge and resource sharing; and
• constraints on the development of interoperability.⁴

Rationalisation of the CIS training was identified by Defence as a priority in 1998 and confirmed in 2002. Simpson Barracks has been identified as the long term location for the DFSS.⁵

Scope

Defence submitted that the proposal will involve new and refurbished facilities including:

• construction of a new high security working accommodation/training building;
• refurbishment of two existing buildings;
• construction of 216 new Live-in Accommodation (LIA Level 5) rooms for long term trainees;
• refurbishment of some existing LIA Level 3 rooms;
• removal of the existing fuel depot; and
• infrastructure upgrades to support the new facilities.⁶

Project Delivery

Subject to Parliamentary approval, Defence proposes to utilise a traditional Head Contract delivery system for this proposal.⁷ A designer has been appointed to prepare preliminary designs and will finalise designs and undertake inspection services during the construction phase.⁸

Defence submitted that it has appointed a Project Manager to represent Defence and act as Contract Administrator for the project.⁹

Cost

Defence submitted that the proposed works are expected to cost $101.3 million excluding GST.¹⁰

This figure includes:

construction costs with fit-out;

professional fees;

furniture;

fittings; and

a contingency sum.¹¹

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