Dr LIM - 1999-08-19
The construction industry in central Australia is going through a quiet time. It has no significant projects under way at the moment. Even ‘spec’ home building is slowing down. Is there any provision in the current capital works program in central Australia to pick up some slack in the local construction industry, created by the recent completion of a number of private sector building projects?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the government, and the Chief Minister and I in particular, have received numerous approaches in recent times from central Australian-based government members in this House – in contrast to silence from people like the member for Stuart who get bogged down in the minute business of cane toads and so on - and also approaches from the construction industry in central Australia pointing out that there isn’t a lot of construction activity in Alice Springs at the moment.
There has been, of course, expansion of tourism infrastructure. The casino in particular has undergone a major expansion, along with the Alice Springs Pacific Resort and the MacDonnell Ranges Caravan Park. I had the honour only a few months ago of opening extensions to that facility. I think that demonstrates the confidence that the tourism industry in central Australia has in the economy, and it also reflects the fact that our tourism industry is growing.
Recognising the fact that those private construction operations have come to an end, and following the announcement by the minister for health earlier in the week that the $14m-worth of modifications and upgrades at Alice Springs Hospital will not be proceeding until late this year or early next year, we have been looking at what works could be brought forward. There are a number of them that I’m sure will assist the central Australian construction industry. Some have been brought forward by up to a couple of years.
Works brought forward include: Extensions and modifications to the Larapinta preschool - $310 000; 3 houses - one each at Nyirripi, Elliott and Mutitjulu) - $600 000; classrooms at Braitling School - nearly $500 000; a health clinic at Willowra - $220 000; and a police station at Harts Range - $790 000. That will use the same design as the recently-completed Kulgera Police Station and will proceed very quickly. Tenders will be let this month for a couple of those projects and next month for most of the remainder. That will ensure that some construction contracts are let and work is commenced before the end of this year.
In addition to that, there is an opportunity for us to bring forward the design for the construction of a tourism and hospitality facility in Alice Springs. That is a $5m project. Rather than adhering to the program that was put in place, which would have seen that design completed in 12 months or a little less, that will now be completed in time for tenders to be called for at the end of this year or very early next year.
Further, there is a $2.2m centre for remote health to be constructed in Alice Springs. I understand that the main obstacle to that proceeding is the identification of a site. Officers from the Departments of Lands and Health are now considering appropriate sites. That will come back to the government and we hope to be able to provide land for that facility as soon as possible. Then we will be in a position to call tenders for that project.
The total is nearly $10m in substantial works for central Australia. I thank the central Australian members for the commitment that they’ve shown, in similar vein to what has been done by industry, in making the government fully aware of the situation in central Australia. This CLP government is responsive. We understand issues that the people bring forward to us or members of parliament bring forward to us. I think a $10m injection into the economy in Alice Springs is a very tangible example of the way we can respond and do respond.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the government, and the Chief Minister and I in particular, have received numerous approaches in recent times from central Australian-based government members in this House – in contrast to silence from people like the member for Stuart who get bogged down in the minute business of cane toads and so on - and also approaches from the construction industry in central Australia pointing out that there isn’t a lot of construction activity in Alice Springs at the moment.
There has been, of course, expansion of tourism infrastructure. The casino in particular has undergone a major expansion, along with the Alice Springs Pacific Resort and the MacDonnell Ranges Caravan Park. I had the honour only a few months ago of opening extensions to that facility. I think that demonstrates the confidence that the tourism industry in central Australia has in the economy, and it also reflects the fact that our tourism industry is growing.
Recognising the fact that those private construction operations have come to an end, and following the announcement by the minister for health earlier in the week that the $14m-worth of modifications and upgrades at Alice Springs Hospital will not be proceeding until late this year or early next year, we have been looking at what works could be brought forward. There are a number of them that I’m sure will assist the central Australian construction industry. Some have been brought forward by up to a couple of years.
Works brought forward include: Extensions and modifications to the Larapinta preschool - $310 000; 3 houses - one each at Nyirripi, Elliott and Mutitjulu) - $600 000; classrooms at Braitling School - nearly $500 000; a health clinic at Willowra - $220 000; and a police station at Harts Range - $790 000. That will use the same design as the recently-completed Kulgera Police Station and will proceed very quickly. Tenders will be let this month for a couple of those projects and next month for most of the remainder. That will ensure that some construction contracts are let and work is commenced before the end of this year.
In addition to that, there is an opportunity for us to bring forward the design for the construction of a tourism and hospitality facility in Alice Springs. That is a $5m project. Rather than adhering to the program that was put in place, which would have seen that design completed in 12 months or a little less, that will now be completed in time for tenders to be called for at the end of this year or very early next year.
Further, there is a $2.2m centre for remote health to be constructed in Alice Springs. I understand that the main obstacle to that proceeding is the identification of a site. Officers from the Departments of Lands and Health are now considering appropriate sites. That will come back to the government and we hope to be able to provide land for that facility as soon as possible. Then we will be in a position to call tenders for that project.
The total is nearly $10m in substantial works for central Australia. I thank the central Australian members for the commitment that they’ve shown, in similar vein to what has been done by industry, in making the government fully aware of the situation in central Australia. This CLP government is responsive. We understand issues that the people bring forward to us or members of parliament bring forward to us. I think a $10m injection into the economy in Alice Springs is a very tangible example of the way we can respond and do respond.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016