Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Redevelopment of the propellant manufacturing facility at Mulwala, NSW.

The Department of Defence proposes to redevelop the gun propellant capability of the Mulwala Propellant and High Explosives Production Facility at Mulwala, New South Wales. The works now proposed are needed to overcome plant obsolescence, improve safety and meet environmental regulations. The main components comprise new nitrocellulose, propellant and solvent production facilities, a new ballistics laboratory and a confined burn facility to eliminate open burning of energetic waste. The estimated out-turn cost of the proposal is $338.7 million. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works will be committed by mid-2007 with the objective of having them completed by the end of 2011. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.