Work has begun on the multi-storey carpark for the National Security Office Precinct in Barton.
The car park, next to the John Gorton Building, Parkes, will provide 1,100 car spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, and a childcare centre. Construction on the car park is expected to be completed in late 2024.
Indigenous-owned construction company Barpa will design and build the car park, at a cost of $80.8 million. The construction project is expected to create almost 200 jobs.
ACT Labor Senator Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, said the project demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to investing in critical infrastructure in the National Capital. (The Coalition government began work on the project in 2020.)
“This is just the first step in a major project for Canberra, the National Security Office Precinct, which will create thousands of jobs over the life of the project,” Ms Gallagher said.
“The Albanese Government values the role that Canberra plays as the National Capital and is investing in key infrastructure to build a better future for our city.”
This is the first major construction to take place in the Parliamentary Triangle since the National Portrait Gallery in 2008.
The National Security Office Precinct itself will accommodate up to 5,000 workers in Canberra’s National Triangle. Hospitality and retail amenities will serve both the precinct occupants and the wider public.
The federal government claims the precinct would be “a permanent solution to the critical accommodation and capability requirements of several national security and other Commonwealth agencies”.
Several public service agencies find their existing accommodation is not fully fit for purpose and not big enough, the government states.
The Office of National Intelligence and parts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will use the precinct.
Get local, national and world news, plus sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
