Background and Need Questions and Answers
What is Headquarters Joint Operations Command?
Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) is the operational military headquarters of the Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). HQJOC is spread between Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne. Strategic staff are in Canberra, joint component and intelligence staff are in Sydney, and some logistics staff from Headquarters Joint Logistics Command are in Melbourne.
HQJOC is responsible for the planning and conduct of operations and other activities such as disaster relief within Australia and the region and assistance with the restoration of law and order in the Solomon Islands and East Timor, and participation in large-scale allied military operations such as Afghanistan, and Iraq.
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Why do we need a new HQJOC?
The new HQJOC will be a state-of-the-art military facility that will see the integration of staff from seven existing headquarters and agencies. This will enable more effective planning and execution of Australian Defence Force operations and other activities.
Elements of the following organisations will move to the new integrated HQ:
- VCDF and Strategic staff in Canberra,
- Headquarters Joint Operations Command, Potts Point, Sydney
- Maritime Component Command, Potts Point, Sydney
- Land Component Command, Victoria Barracks, Paddington, Sydney
- Air Component Command, Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains, NSW
- Special Operations Component Command, Potts Point, Sydney
- The Joint Operations Intelligence Centre, Potts Point, Sydney
- Headquarters 1st Joint Movement Group, Sydney City, and
- Logistics staff, Headquarters Joint Logistics Command, Melbourne.
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Acquistion Strategy Questions and Answers
Buildings and Facilities
The facilities aspects of the Project have been assessed for suitability of delivery as a Privately Financed Initiative (PFI) also known as Public Private Partnership (PPP) under the 'Commonwealth Policy Principles for the Use of Private Financing' and the Defence 'Private Finance Manual'. On 30 May 2006, Praeco Pty Ltd was announced as the preferred tenderer to deliver the buildings, infrastructure and services components of the HQJOC Project under private financing arrangements on the basis of better value for money than under traditional delivery. The contract with Praeco was signed on 30 June 2006 and financial close was achieved on 28 July 2006.
A number of advantages that Defence expects to capture through the use of private financing include:
- Cost effective allocation of many of the risks inherent in the Project's delivery;
- Adopting a whole of life approach through the integration of design and construction with operations and maintenance;
- Certainty of cost for a defined scope and sustained quality service delivery; and
- Improved financial management and accountability on a whole of life basis.
A finance lease classification will apply to the Project.
Commonwealth and Defence’s private financing guidelines can be accessed through the following websites:
Commonwealth Guidance:
http://www.finance.gov.au/commercialprojects/private_financing_links.html
Defence Guidance:
http://www.defence.gov.au/cfo/privfin/
Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence Systems.
Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence Systems are being procured by Defence using direct (traditional) procurement arrangements, separate from the arrangements that apply to the provision of the buildings, infrastructure, ongoing maintenance and support services.
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Construction and Environment Questions and Answers
When will construction begin?
Construction related activity commenced late last year after preliminary engineering and design studies were undertaken. The Final Environmental Impact Statement, comprising the draft Environmental Impact Statement and the Supplementary Report, has been completed and has been cleared by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage. The Conditions of Approval for the Project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 were received on 8 August 2005. Praeco received approval for their Construction Environment Management Plan on 4 Oct 2006. Click here for the EIS Conditions of Approval.
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How much will it cost?
The total capital cost estimate for the HQJOC Project is approximately $300 million. The cost includes the buildings and infrastructure; the command, control, communications, computing and intelligence systems; land acquisition; workplace relocation costs, and design, professional fees and construction contingency; but excludes goods and services tax.
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What other approvals have been obtained?
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (PWC) conducted a public hearing into the Project on 18 June 2004 in Queanbeyan. Their report, which recommended that the Project proceed, was tabled on 11 August, and approved by the Parliament on 12 August 2004. A copy of the report can be accessed via the PWC website (http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/pwc/hqjocnsw/report.htm)
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Where will the HQJOC be situated?
On 3 October 2001, the Prime Minister, John Howard, announced that the new Headquarters would be built in the Queanbeyan region of New South Wales within the Kings Highway corridor near Bungendore.
After additional studies, the location was refined to a location on the Woodlands property, about mid way between Queanbeyan and Bungendore, off the Kings Highway.
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Will the HQ create any security concerns for the region?
The relative isolation of the headquarters from urban housing and population concentrations significantly reduces security concerns. Active and passive security measures, including access control measures, will be incorporated in the design of the headquarters facility to further reduce security risks. Defence has procedures for the passage of security related information to Federal and State Police to enable their response to security incidents and the protection of the civilian population.
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When will the new HQJOC be completed?
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, announced on 11 July 2008 that the new Headquarters Joint Operations Command facility at Bungendore, NSW, had been delivered to Defence by Praeco Pty Ltd on time and budget on 9 July 2008. The new HQJOC facility will be ready for occupation by the end of 2008.
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How many people will be employed at the facility?
The headquarters facility is being designed to accommodate around 750 military and civilian Defence staff, with the flexibility to augment staff depending on the level of operational activity. They will perform work currently undertaken at the various headquarters and agencies that make up HQJOC in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.
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Will the HQJOC create any civilian jobs?
It is anticipated that up to 400 workers will be required during the construction and detailed fitout period of the facility. After the facility is operational, it is expected that a range of civilian employment opportunities will become available as services such as facilities maintenance, security, cleaning and catering will be required.
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What are the plans for housing and resettlement of military staff?
The Defence Housing Authority will build or acquire up to 500 new family homes/townhouses/units to provide housing for Australian Defence Force staff assigned to Canberra, including to the new Headquarters Joint Operations Command facility. On 28 October 2004, the Defence Housing Authority and the ACT Land Development Agency jointly announced the sale of 350 serviced blocks in the ACT (Gungahlin area) to the Defence Housing Authority over the next three years. The Defence Housing Authority has advised that the balance of the homes will be sourced from the general Canberra and Queanbeyan real estate market.
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What consultation has and will be undertaken?
Regular consultation between all levels of government and the public has occurred and will continue throughout the project. The Headquarters Project team has met, and will continue to meet, with representatives from local communities and applicable State and Federal Government departments and authorities to provide as much information as possible as the Project develops.
The project commissioned a research company to conduct a community attitudinal survey in late 2005 to assist in fine-tuning its consultation and communication strategies. The study found a high level of public awareness of, and support for, the HQJOC Project.
A Community Consultative Working Group (CCWG) was formed in June 2006. Further information regarding CCWG activites can be accessed on the CCWG webpage.
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What environmental aspects does the EIS cover?
As the project is proposed by a Commonwealth agency, potential impacts on all aspects of the environment, including matters of national environmental significance, are addressed in the Final EIS. Section 528 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act defines environment as:
(a) ecosystems and their constituent parts, including people and communities
(b) natural and physical resources
(c) the qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas, and
(d) the social, economic and cultural aspects of a thing mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), or (c).
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Why did the Defence elect to site the Emergency Access Route to connect the new Headquarters Joint Operations Command site with Molonglo Place and Molonglo River Drive, Carwoola?
The route chosen for the Emergency Access Route was adopted following an exhaustive examination of other alternative routes. The principle role of the Emergency Access Route is to provide a viable alternative access route for emergency vehicles to enter and exit the Headquarters site in the most unlikely event that access along the Kings Highway route to the site is blocked. Alternative routes to the north, west (along either side of the Canberra railway line) and east were examined and considered to be too expensive. Access to the north and west would have required an additional crossing or crossings either under or over the railway line. A level crossing arrangement was considered but on advice would not have been approved by the State Rail Authority. Also, access along the southern side of the railway line would have disturbed environmentally sensitive woodland and associated understorey. Access to the east would have required expensive earthworks down the escarpment to link with the Hoskinstown Road.
What will happen should the facility expands over time? Will the Emergency Access Route become a more significant route, attracting traffic through the Molonglo River Drive residential area?
The Project's Environmental Impact Study specifies that the Emergency Access Route will only be used as an alternate access route to or from the Headquarters site for emergency vehicles in the most unlikely event that access along the Kings Highway route to the site is blocked, or to move staff offsite in the event that the primary access route is blocked.
Will nearby residents experience disruption (noise, dust, vehicle traffic) during the construction of the Emergency Access Route and, if so, for how long?
The Project's Environmental Impact Statement requires that the contractor must minimise any disruption during construction of the Emergency Access Route, and during other construction activities. This includes traffic control measures and measures to control dust and rubbish along the Emergency Access Route. The successful contractor will advise nearby residents of the traffic control measures for the construction of the Emergency Access Route.
How much vehicle traffic will use the Emergency Access Route?
Apart from road maintenance vehicles, under most circumstances only emergency vehicles will use the Emergency Access Route. This access would occur on one or two occasions each year to enable emergency crews to familiarise themselves with the route. Emergency vehicles would only use the route in the event that access along the Kings Highway route is blocked. The access route might also be used to move staff offsite in the event that the primary access route is blocked. Where possible, local residents would be advised of the need to use the Emergency Access Route.
What controls will be provided (fences, signs, gates) to prevent the Emergency Access Route becoming a short cut for the headquarters staff and an attraction for trail bike riders or others?
The Emergency Access Route will be fenced on either side along its entire length. The entrance to the Headquarters site itself will be controlled by locked gates. The installation of gates at the Molonglo River end of the Emergency Access Route will be discussed with the affected landowners in late 2006 as part of more detailed design work for the facility. Headquarters staff will not have vehicles access to the Emergency Access Route except in the most unlikely event of the Kings Highway route being blocked. Staff may however use the Emergency Access Route to walk, jog or bicycle to and from work or as part of an exercise program.
When will work start on the Emergency Access Route?
The contract for the construction of the buildings and facilities for the Headquarters Project was finalised on 30 June 2006 and construction related activities commenced late last year. The dates for completion of the Emergency Access Route will be advised soon.
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Information Technology (IT) Questions and Answers
What will the new IT capability look like?
The new Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) will form one node in the ADF Command and Control system. The new IT capability will be flexible to allow for different command arrangements. This will include coalition/allied, as well as simultaneous Australian-only operations, and operations requiring a coordinated national response with other Government agencies taking a lead or supporting role. The design of this capability will also provide maximum flexibility so that it can accommodate evolving command and control arrangements into the future. ADI Limited, trading as Thales Australia, won the $58.5 million contract to deliver the integrated C4I suite for the new headquarters.
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How will it improve on the current IT capability?
The new IT capability will have a high level of availability, reliability and survivability, with redundant communications paths and multiple datacenters. This capability will assist in the provisioning of evolving technologies such as collaborative planning tools and situational awareness displays. The new IT capability will be highly flexible to allow for the evolution of command arrangements and IT technology required to support the Chief Defence Force in the command of ADF operations.
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Private Financing Questions and Answers
How will private financing work with this project?
Under private financing arrangements (PFI), also referred to as Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Praeco Pty Ltd is responsible for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of the new headquarters as well as providing infrastructure and ancillary services for the 30 year Term. At the end of the Term, the facility will revert to the Commonwealth.
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Why did the Commonwealth considering private financing for this major project?
The advantages of considering private financing arrangements for a project of this scale and complexity include the achievement of timely outcomes and higher performance (due to stricter performance requirements on the private sector) as well as reduced contract overheads due to the possible grouping of different contract deliverables such as maintenance contracts and operating services into one 'bundled' service to deliver a capability outcome for the Commonwealth. Private finance arrangements also offer the cost-effective transfer of risk to the private sector, improvements to financial and risk management through the life of the facility, and reduced financial exposure as lease payments will not be required until the facility is successfully handed over to Defence.
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Will procuring the HQJOC facilities by private financing provide value for money for the Government?
The evaluation of the tendered responses and contract negotiations with Praeco Pty Ltd have indicated that the Commonwealth will achieve value for money on the transaction.
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Has the Government ever used private financing on a scale as big as this before?
This will be the first project where Government has sought to privately finance the construction and maintenance of a major facility on a greenfield site.
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Security in the new headquarters is a critical issue. What guarantees can the Commonwealth give that security will not be compromised under private financing?
Defence will retain oversight and responsibility for security. Contract security staff will undertake the physical security tasks of the new headquarters in the same manner as at a number of current Defence establishments.
Defence will retain responsibility for the delivery of the command, control, communications, computing and intelligence systems. These will be procured under traditional arrangements and synchronised with the facility's construction schedule.
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Public Transport
The issue of public transport between Canberra, Queanbeyan and the new HQJOC site is being investigated in preparation for the site's occupation. Similarly, the increased volume of traffic on the Kings Highway is also being investigated by the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and Roads ACT. Discussions have commenced, and are ongoing, with the various authorities responsible for the maintenance and improvements to the Kings Highway. An election promise of the Rudd government was the expenditure of $23.3m on improvements to the portion of the Kings Highway serving the headquarters.
Companies providing Contracted Services
The following list of companies are providing Contracted Services to the Project
- Blake Dawson Waldron (BDW) - Legal Adviser
- Australian Government Solicitor - Land Acquisition Adviser
- Australian Government Solicitor - Legal Process/Probity Adviser
- Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu - Strategic Business and Financial Adviser
- URS Australia - Environmental
- Connell Wagner - Technical
- GHD Pty Ltd - Project Consultant
- Capital Insight - Risk Adviser
- Codarra Advanced Systems - C4I Project Management and Systems Engineering Services (C4I is short for the command, control, communications, computing and intelligence systems)
- ADI Limited, trading Thales Australia - C4I Prime Systems Integrator
Praeco Pty Ltd Contact Details
Praeco Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract to construct and operate the new facility. Contact details for Praeco queries are as follows:
Consortium related
Name: Peter Hicks
Title: Corporate Mgr - Infrastructure Investment
Email: peter.hicks@leicon.com.au
Phone: 02 8668 6622
Fax: 02 8668 6511
Mobile: 0401 991 533
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Leighton Contractors Construction, Sub contractors, Procurement related
Name: Kelvin Man
Title: Cost Planner
Email: kelvin.man@leicon.com.au
Phone: 02 9414 3453
Fax: 02 9414 3507
Mobile: 0414 661 695 |
Last updated 15 October 2008
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