John Gorton Building Safety Fencing
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/About
The Department of Finance (Finance) is the building owner and property manager of the John Gorton Building.Essential work is required at the John Gorton Building to install safety fencing and overhead protection hoarding as an interim solution to address safety risks from falling sandstone fragments on the exterior of the building.
Who is responsible for managing the John Gorton Building?
Finance is the agency responsible for managing the John Gorton Building. The National Capital Authority (NCA) is responsible for maintaining the grounds.
Does the John Gorton Building need repairs?
Yes. The exterior facade of the John Gorton Building is in need of urgent repairs. The sandstone panels are deteriorating and stone is falling off the panels causing a safety risk.
What is the nature of the repair and conservation works required?
The repair and conservation works include the replacement of all jointing material on the building, replacement and/or repairs to damaged sandstone panels, repairs to downpipes and water headers, and the replacement of lead weatherings and flashings.
The jointing material between the sandstone panels contains asbestos. All jointing material will be removed bylicensed asbestos removalist contractors, and in accordance with the relevant codes and standards.
Why is there fencing and overhead protection hoarding on the John Gorton Building?
Until the sandstone panels are replaced, there is a safety risk from falling stone. Finance has implemented regular inspections and will put the safety fence and hoarding in place to mitigate the safety risk until repair works can be undertaken.
How long will the fencing and hoarding be in place?
The fencing and hoarding will need to be in place until repairs to all sides of the building have been completed and the safety risk is eliminated. The fencing and hoarding will be progressively removed as facades are completed.
The repair and conservation works are required to be undertaken utilising mostly hand tools, so as not to damage the thin joint between the existing sandstone panels. This will be a very slow process and will be undertaken by specialist contractors.
When will the required repairs be undertaken?
The funding provided in the 2013-14 Budget will fund the ground-to-top repairs to the North-West facing facade, which is the most deteriorated. The remaining three facades will be repaired when budget funding can be made available for these works.
What will be the impact on building tenants and the general public during the repair works?
Most of the repair and conservation works are required to be undertaken using hand tools, which will minimise the noise impact of the works. There will be some minimal noise associated with erection of scaffolding and some of the repairs.
The JGB’s entry and exit points, fire escapes and loading docks will remain in operation during the repair works. For safety reasons, the entries will be protected with securescaffolding to maintain the safety of building occupants.
Asbestos removal will be undertaken by licensed contractors, and in accordance with the relevant codes and standards so as to ensure the safety of the contractors undertaking the works and also that of the building occupants and visitors.
Large sections of the facade will be completely scaffolded as the repair and conservation works are undertaken. Information regarding the staging of the works will be provided to building occupants and neighbours to inform them of the works.
Does the John Gorton Building contain asbestos? Is the building safe for tenants’ and the public?
The jointing material between the sandstone panels contains asbestos. All jointing material will be removed as part of the repair works by licensed asbestos removalist contractors, and in accordance with the relevant codes and standards so as to ensure the safety of the contractors undertaking the works and also that of the building occupants and visitors.
For safety reasons, the entries will be protected with secure scaffolding to maintain the safety of building occupants.
What is the cost of the required repairs?
The estimated cost cannot be announced at this time as it would compromise the competitive procurement process to engage a works contractor to undertake repairs.
Why are scarce resources being used for a public service building?
Finance must ensure that the identified safety risks are mitigated and eventually eliminated through the repairs to the building.
What are the proposed measures the Department will undertake to reduce the risk involved with asbestos removal during the renovation?
All jointing material will be removed by licensed asbestos removal contractors, in accordance with the relevant codes and standards. Finance expects the removalist contractor will be engaged in late December 2013, and at that time the exact procedures will be confirmed. The measures will include appropriate isolation, removal, storage and disposal of the asbestos waste material.
Further, the John Gorton Building is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List for its significant heritage values and is an important element in the Parliament House Vista and Parliamentary zone. Appropriate management and maintenance of the building will enable the ongoing use of this important heritage asset.
Will the heritage values of the building be protected?
The John Gorton Building is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List and its significant values will be protected when the required repair works arecompleted. In the interim, hoarding and safety fencing are free standing and not abrasive so they will not damage the building or increase the rate of sandstone deterioration.
Has the Environment Minister been consulted about the project?
Finance referred the proposal for fencing and hoarding to the Minister for the Environment for approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 due to the visual impacts of the fencing and hoarding on the heritage values of the John Gorton Building and neighbouring Commonwealth Heritage places.
What other approval or consultation processes have been undertaken?
Finance will consult with the tenants and neighbours of the John Gorton Building. Finance has also consulted with the NCA regarding works approval as the building is on National Land in the Parliamentary Zone.
/Other useful links
- Australian Heritage Places Inventory
- Referral Detail – Department of the Environment
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