Public Works Committee to examine CSIRO’s proposed refit of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness

THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (the committee) will consider the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) proposed part-life refit of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) under the Public Works Act 1969.

The proposed works were referred for inquiry and report on September 2, 2025. The committee will conduct a site inspection at the CSIRO Geelong ACDP, with a public hearing at Virginia Todd Hall, Geelong West, to follow.

CSIRO seeks to build a new 1,400m² high-containment laboratory wing as part of the first stage of their ACDP Part-life Refit Project to address current compliance issues in laboratory design and replace end-of-life critical infrastructure. The proposed works intend to provide safe, fit-for-purpose facilities that enhance Australia’s resilience to respond to pandemic events and improve CSIRO’s delivery of biosecurity services.

The estimated cost of the proposed works is $372,216,000 (excluding GST).

The committee will hear from relevant officers from CSIRO at the hearing. Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website or attend the hearing in person at the location listed below.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 21 November 2025
Time: 12pm–12:40pm
Location: Virginia Todd Hall, 9–15 Clarence St, Geelong West, VIC 3218

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

Please note: the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Enquiries on these matters should be directed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

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