Public Works celebrates NAIDOC Week
Updated 9 July 2008
NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week is underway and Public Works is promoting its commitment to Indigenous issues.
If you’re in Brisbane, why not visit our stand at the Family Day at Musgrave Park (121 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane) on Friday 11 July?
Our stand will promote Indigenous employment opportunities and the construction of the State Tennis Centre at Tennyson, with visitors having a chance to play tennis on a Nintendo Wii and win it at the end of the day.
Queensland State Archives will be in attendance to provide advice on how to research family and community history.
In regional areas, the department’s offices and depots will also host NAIDOC events.
NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia in July each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The theme chosen this year by the National NAIDOC Committee is 'Advance Australia Fair?' and organisers are expecting a high level of participation following the Federal Government’s apology to the stolen generations in February.
Public Works welcomes CorpTech
Updated 1 July 2008
CorpTech – the Queensland Government's provider of corporate applications for human resources and finance – has joined the Department of Public Works.
CorpTech is now operating as a business unit within the department.
This boosts the number of our staff to over 7000, making Public Works one of the largest departments in the Queensland Government.
In its new home, CorpTech will continue working closely with shared service providers and agencies.
It will maintain its management of services across government including procurement, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, facilities management, and recruitment through the jobs online website http://jobs.govnet.qld.gov.au/
CorpTech was established in 2003 as part of establishing the government’s shared service arrangements to provide technology to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of providing HR and finance functions across government.
CorpTech was previously with Queensland Treasury.
ICT submissions now online
Updated 26 June 2008
Two Queensland Government Submissions to the Australian Government on National Broadband Network issues are now available online.
They are the Queensland Government Submission to the Australian Government on Regulatory Reforms to be implemented with the National Broadband Network, and the Queensland Government Submission to the Australian Government on Policy and Funding Initiatives to provide Enhanced Broadband to Rural and Remote Areas.
To view the documents, visit http://www.publicworks.qld.gov.au/about/publications.cfm and look under the QGCIO header.
QFleet lines up for Red Nose Day
Updated 24 June 2008
All QFleet vehicles auctioned, as well as some vehicles in the government vehicle fleet, are wearing red noses to show the Queensland Government's support for the annual SIDS and Kids Red Nose Day.
Around 6,000 QFleet vehicles are proudly displaying the magnetised red noses in the lead up to Red Nose Day, one of the country's highest profile and best loved fundraising events.
SIDS and Kids is an international leader in the field of health promotion, dedicated to the elimination of sudden and unexpected infant death, and is best known for its SIDS-related research and education programs.
Funds raised through Red Nose Day activities help SIDS and Kids in providing its vital services and programs.
This year's Red Nose Day, on June 27, was the event's 21st anniversary.
For more information about Red Nose Day visit www.rednoseday.com.au.
QFleet farewells last V8 passenger vehicle
Updated 5 June 2008
QFleet's last remaining eight cylinder passenger vehicle was farewelled today, demonstrating the State Government's commitment to having a greener, cleaner fleet.
The move to banish the petrol-guzzling vehicles from the government vehicle fleet started in October 2005 when QFleet had around 218 eight cylinder passenger vehicles.
The Premier, Ministers and CEOs were moved into six-cylinder and smaller vehicles as the leases on their V8s expired.
The last of those leases have now expired so it's goodbye to V8s from the passenger vehicle fleet.
The government's ClimateSmart 2050 policy for the government vehicle fleet has shifted the primary focus for vehicle selection from the number of cylinders to the greenhouse emissions of the vehicle.
Budget continues building Queensland
Updated 3 June 2008
The Department of Public Works budget highlights document is now available online.
To read the highlights, visit: http://www.publicworks.qld.gov.au/pdf/dpw_budget_highlights_2008-09.pdf
Westpac recognised for contribution to reconciliation
Updated 30 May 2008
Westpac Banking Corporation won the Department of Public Works sponsored Established Business Award at the 2008 Reconciliation Awards held at Parliament House last night.
The awards, held as part of this week’s Reconciliation Week’s celebrations, recognise achievements in encouraging and embracing reconciliation by striving to create new employment and business opportunities for young Indigenous Queenslanders.
Westpac Banking Corporation was named the winner of the Established Business Award for its employee secondee program to Cape York. The bank encourages all staff to live and work in remote Indigenous communities across Cape York for a one month period.
The other category winners were:
• Torres Strait Heritage Pty Ltd - winner of the Emerging Business Award and the Premier's Reconciliation Award
• Brisbane Indigenous Media Association Inc - winner of the Community Organisation Award
• The Pelican Hope Vale Project - winner of the Partnership Award
New walks add to Parkland attractions
Updated 27 May 2008
New specialised guided walks at Roma Street Parkland were launched today as a way of reintroducing the Parkland to the community.
There is a new Sensory walk, an AUSLAN Interpreter walk, an Art walk, a Heritage walk and a Curator’s walk.
Roma Street Parkland had worked closely with Deaf Australia, Deaf Services Queensland and Sign Language Services Queensland on the AUSLAN Interpreter walk.
The Parkland had also liaised with Vision Australia to train Volunteer Guides and conduct a trial Sensory Walk.
The idea behind the Sensory Walk is to stimulate participants’ senses, and it is particularly suited to people who are vision impaired or living with head injuries.
The Art walk provides an insight into wonderful artworks integrated and themed throughout the Parkland gardens, with guides offering plenty of information about the different works from local artists.
The Curator’s walk focuses on the design and planning of the gardens, the changing of seasons and the different plants in bloom.
Walks should be booked in advance, and are ideal for school groups, community groups, gardening clubs and members of the public.
For more information, contact Roma Street Parkland on (07) 3006 4545 or visit www.romastreetparkland.com
New SWARA Centre opens
Updated 21 May 2008
The new Dutton Park facilities of the Sunshine Welfare and Remedial Association (SWARA) – started more than 30 years ago by two sisters affectionately known as 'the Pink Twins' – are now open.
The late Dorothy O'Brien first opened the SWARA centre on vacant railway land in College Road, Spring Hill in 1975 to provide fulfilling and constructive activities for adults with a disability. She was later joined in her endeavours by her sister, Moyia.
The O'Brien twins, who shared a passion for the colour pink, developed a small community organisation offering programs and activities to develop and enhance a broad range of independent living and social skills, such as meal preparation, cooking, cleaning, singing and dancing.
The Queensland Government provided funds totalling $2.7 million to relocate the Association from a collection of old cottages, sheds and demountable buildings at Spring Hill to the former Dutton Park Special Education site in Park Road.
The new location provides custom-made facilities to deliver training in independent living skills, an administration section, courtyards, metal workshop, bakery, outdoor area, open space and garden.
The Department of Public Works will lease the refurbished Dutton Park facility to the Association for a peppercorn rental.
Retired locomotive 'Eudlo' restored to former glory
Updated 17 May 2008
The restored "Eudlo" steam locomotive has been unveiled at the Nambour and District Historical Museum.
The "Eudlo" was restored with the aid of a $15,000 grant from the Community Memorials Restoration Program.
The Community Memorials Restoration Program, administered by the Department of Public Works, provides dollar-for-dollar grants for projects across Queensland.
Since 2004, the program has provided grants to assist local governments and community organisations to restore, repair, record, preserve and promote awareness of historical development in communities.
Since the Community Memorials Restoration Program started, $1.75 million has been spent by the Queensland Government restoring repairing 200 memorials across the State.
Early tests show Mineral House is safe
Updated 13 May 2008
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said today that preliminary tests showed no apparent cause for a suspected cancer cluster at Mineral House in Brisbane's CBD.
“Preliminary findings show that electromagnetic measurements in the building are well within acceptable guidelines,” Mr Schwarten said.
The tests followed reports last week that six workers at the government office building had fallen ill to cancer in the past four years.
Current and former employees of Mineral House and concerned members of the public can call (07) 3224 6689 for more information.
Safety testing ahead for Mineral House
Updated 8 May 2008
The Department of Public Works has asked Queensland Health to undertake urgent environmental and epidemiological testing at a government office building in Brisbane’s central business district after concerns about a number of recent cancer diagnoses were raised.
Current and former employees of Mineral House and concerned members of the public can call (07) 3224 6689 for more information.
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said a concerned employee of the Queensland Government Security Office, located in Mineral House on George Street, had reported yesterday that six staff from the office had developed cancer in the past four years.
“The health and safety of our employees is paramount and for that reason the department has asked Queensland Health to undertake an urgent investigation,” Mr Schwarten said.
“I am informed that these tests will be completed as soon as practicable at which time the results will be communicated to staff.
“Staff and their union have been advised of the actions being taken by the department and the staff are continuing to work in the area.
“However should any evidence come to light to indicate the area is unsafe, the department will immediately take action.”
Mr Schwarten said magnetic field measurements conducted in 1999 showed levels in the office were well below recognised guidelines.
“I am advised that the 1999 tests recorded a maximum reading of 58mGauss whereas the interim national guidelines established by the National Health and Medical Research Council are 1000-5000mGauss,” Mr Schwarten said.
“I am further advised that the situation at Mineral House differs from that at the ABC Studios in Toowong and the Atherton Fire Station in a number of ways.
“For example, I am informed that a variety of different cancers have been diagnosed in staff working at Mineral House and those diagnosed come from varied demographics.”
Mr Schwarten said regardless of the differences the Department of Public Works took the matter of workplace heath and safety very seriously and it would not rest until every avenue of investigation had been completed and the safety of its staff assured.
“The safety of our workforce is paramount. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure our workers are safe and whatever action that is required will be taken.”
Earthworks prepare site for Boggo Road Urban Village
Updated 1 May 2008
The process of transforming the Boggo Road Gaol site at Dutton Park into a vibrant, inner-city urban village reached another important milestone this week.
Queensland-based Watpac Australia Pty Ltd, the preferred tenderer for the $45.5 million Boggo Road Urban Village Redevelopment, has started earthworks on location.
Redevelopment of the Boggo Road site is project managed by Project Services, a business unit of the Department of Public Works, on behalf of the Queensland Government.
The redevelopment will deliver up to 500 residential units – including studio, one, two and three bedroom accommodation – with 25 percent of these being affordable housing.
New process for North Bank
Updated 29 April 2008
A new process of professional and stakeholder consultation will help address concerns regarding the redevelopment of Brisbane’s North Bank.
Critics, planners, engineers and environmentalists, special interest groups such as the National Trust, Government agencies, Brisbane City Council and the development industry will be invited to work on a new proposal to fulfil the goal of opening up the north bank of the river to the public.
Any final project will remain subject to the successful resolution of various technical issues including potential flooding and traffic impacts and future maintenance of the Riverside Expressway.
Energy performance contracts introduced
Updated 23 April 2008
The Department of Public Works has introduced Energy Performance Contracts for 25 of its high energy usage buildings.
Partnerships are set up with private sector contractors who retrofit the buildings and then guarantee the level of energy savings over the period of the contract (typically 7+ years).
Under these contracts, energy reductions of between 8 and 38 percent are expected to be achieved in the 25 buildings.
This will result in a 15 percent reduction of total energy consumption across the entire Public Works portfolio of buildings – the equivalent of taking 4300 cars off the road.
The first building in Brisbane to have one of these contracts is 61 Mary Street.
The contract will be completed by June 2008 and the building is expected to achieve electricity reductions from then on.
Other major CBD buildings covered by these contracts will include the Executive Building and 80 George Street.
Four schools share funding
Updated 16 April 2008
Four Queensland schools – Comet, Arcadia Valley, Tambo and Bedourie State Schools – have been allocated more than $40,000 in special maintenance funding.
The project will be funded by the Department of Public Works’ emergency maintenance fund.
This fund was developed to complement existing maintenance programs and specifically to undertake projects that arose in the course of the year or that were unable to be completed by the school because of the magnitude of the cost.
QBuild – the State Government’s construction and maintenance division – will manage the project.
Government building to set new energy standards
Updated 4 April 2008
A $79.5 million, five-star, energy-efficient Queensland Government office building - project managed by the Department of Public Works - is expected to be completed in Cairns by early 2010.
Stage two of the government office complex at William McCormack Place, Sheridan Street, will feature the latest in innovative energy and efficient design.
With smart architectural design, water-efficient technologies, energy-efficient air-conditioning and use of off-peak electrical supplies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions stage two of the project will be targeted at achieving a five-star, Green Star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme.
The increasing need for government services in Cairns, combined with the tight property market, had resulted in Government also committing to leasing commercial office space in the new Citi Central building, Spence Street.
PQC - a simpler way
Updated 5 March 2008
The whole-of-Queensland Government’s Prequalification (PQC) System, hosted by the Department of Public Works, has gained more momentum in recent times with the introduction of updated forms and an option for a simpler registration process.
The PQC System is a comprehensive central register for the prequalification of building industry contractors and consultants.
PQC applies to all building industry contractors directly engaged on all government building projects exceeding $250,000. Under the Department of Public Works’ Capital Works Management Framework, the register assists in the tender check process.
What makes the PQC more appealing is the recent update to the registration forms, simplifying the entire process. These updated forms now make registering an easier and less time consuming process by eliminating duplicate information and cutting down on paperwork.
Register information and application forms can be found online at http://www.build.qld.gov.au or contact the PQC register by email at pqcregistrar@publicworks.qld.gov.au or on (07) 3224 5241 or 1800 072 621.
Sustainable Home Caboolture opens
Updated 3 March 2008
The latest demonstration home in Queensland’s Smart and Sustainable Homes Program has officially opened in Caboolture.
Sustainable Home Caboolture is an example of sustainable design for the Australian suburban setting adapting the traditional ‘project home’ style.
The home was built following the Department of Public Works ‘Smart and Sustainable Homes’ principles which are based on the triple-bottom-line concept of economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Sustainable Home Caboolture is open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4 pm until the end of the year. The house will be open on Thursdays for group bookings made by appointment only.
For more information about the project go to:
http://www.sustainable-homes.org.au/03_projects/caboolture/caboolture.htm
QBuild helps to clean up Mackay floods
Updated 27 February 2008
Around 50 QBuild staff are on hand in Mackay to help with the clean up following heavy flooding this month.
With QBuild’s assistance, the Queensland Building Services Authority has opened a Mackay Rebuilding Coordination Centre (MRCC) to help residents rebuild flood-damaged homes.
To contact the MRCC, call 1300 727 795 or visit Shop 10 Porter’s Plaza, 36 Carlyle Street.
An eight-member taskforce of staff from the BSA’s Mackay and Brisbane offices will help streamline the rebuilding process by coordinating builders to undertake repairs.
QBuild has undertaken assessments of hundreds of damaged Queensland Government built assets including schools and public housing, and has commenced the necessary remedial works.
Staff have inspected more than 800 Department of Housing properties, 160 of which had sustained damage. Seven of these properties were untenable and tenants have been relocated.
QBuild Industries organised for around 40 kitchens to be delivered, flat-packed from Brisbane, for use in the affected houses.
Thirty-three schools were inspected following the flooding.
Skilled Park Open Day a success
Updated 18 February 2008
Skilled Park Open Day on 17 February attracted 22,000 fans.
As well as funding the $160 million stadium, the Queensland Government also funded the $15 million public transport hub adjoining Skilled Park.
A further $350,000 has been allocated to make accessibility even better.
This will go towards the further development of the Park and Ride at Firth Park, which will bring the State Government's contribution to this facility to over half a million dollars.
This further upgrade will make it even easier for the people of the Gold Coast to use public transport to attend Gold Coast Titans matches.
QBuild welcomes 100 new apprentices
Updated 14 February 2008
QBuild has welcomed 100 up-and-coming tradies from across Queensland into its 2008 apprenticeship intake.
The new apprentices and trainees will take up a range of positions with the State Government’s construction and maintenance organisation.
QBuild is one of the largest employers of construction and engineering industry apprentices in Queensland and received more than 3,000 applications for this year’s apprentice intake.
Apprentices gain experience in the maintenance of government buildings, including schools, as well as helping construct new building projects throughout their region.
All apprentices and trainees will begin their careers with safety training and the provision of work-related equipment before they start learning on site. QBuild provides uniforms, footwear, protective equipment and tools of trade as required.
Sustainable Home Mackay opens
Updated 8 February 2008
The latest demonstration home in Queensland’s Smart and Sustainable Homes Program has been officially opened in Mackay.
Sustainable Home Mackay is the first duplex development to be built as part of the Sustainable Homes Program.
The home was built following the Department of Public Works ‘Smart and Sustainable Homes’ principles which are based on the triple-bottom-line concept of economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Sustainable Home Mackay will be open to the public every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday for three months starting on Saturday, February 16 February.
For more information about the project go to:
http://www.sustainable-homes.org.au/03_projects/mackay/mackay.htm
Government buying goes green
Updated 24 January 2008
Queensland Government departments will be expected to buy greener as part of a new policy calling for sustainable and ethical purchasing.
The State Procurement Policy 2008 sets out to ensure the State Government’s purchasing power is used to acquire goods that are more environmentally friendly.
The Queensland Government Chief Procurement Office – established after a major review of purchasing and logistics – is already leading the way in "green procurement".
A recent whole-of-Government arrangement for desktop computers, laptops and file servers called for energy-saving features in hardware, responsible recycling and disposal, and environmentally-conscious manufacturing.
This is another example of the State Government putting strategies in place to address climate change.
QBuild mobilised for flood response
Updated 22 January 2008
QBuild teams have been mobilised at Emerald, Longreach, Charleville and a number of smaller centres as part of the Queensland Government's flood response.
QBuild has organised a wide range of resources at the evacuation centres including bedding, cooking equipment, food supplies, bottled water, power generators, portable lighting, tables and chairs, and portable toilets.
An additional 200 mattresses and 500 blankets are on their way from an SDS supplier.
Robert the Bruce window stands tall again
Updated 11 January 2008
A stained glass window depicting a life-size figure of Scottish legend Robert the Bruce has been reinstalled at Government House in Bardon following a delicate restoration process.
The $108,000 restoration of the window was a meticulous and highly skilled process which included four main stages - documentation, dismantling, cleaning and reassembling.
Around 1000 pieces of glass were cleaned on both sides under a microscope using cotton buds and deionised water.
The Robert the Bruce window was originally installed in the house in 1891. It is believed Parliamentarian John Stevenson, a Scottish patriot, purchased the window on a trip back to Scotland.
1977 Queensland Cabinet minutes released
Updated 1 January 2008
The status of women, water supply problems and Fraser Island mining issues dominated the 1977 Queensland Cabinet minutes, released on January 1 by Queensland State Archives after 30 years.
The minutes will be available to the public at Queensland State Arc hives, 435 Compton Road, Runcorn, from Wednesday January 2.
They offer a remarkable insight into the inner workings of the former Bjelke-Petersen coalition government and the issues of the day, including the prevailing attitude towards women.
Cabinet at the time endorsed a policy that gave preference to college leavers over married women in the Queensland public service.
The Cabinet records also show the coalition government of 1977 allowed the chance to control urban water supply slip through its fingers.
The Bjelke-Petersen government had the opportunity to establish a Moreton Water Authority to control new and future water supply facilities, such as dams, treatment works and trunk mains – but Cabinet lost its nerve in the face of council opposition.
The documents also show the then coalition government remained keen to allow sand mining on Fraser Island, despite the Commonwealth ban imposed in December 1976.
Queensland State Archives is open to the public on weekdays from 9.00am to 4.30pm, and on the second Saturday of the month during the same hours.