...so I guess this will be more to your liking (and of course the Amnesty people when they take their visits in future) - we must keep the PCers happy and ensure we attract the right type of Asylum Seeker - unbelievable:
Manus Island facility to include a gymnasium, games room and library
Lisa Allen, The Australian, October 15, 2013 12:00AM
THE federal government expects a $300 million permanent accommodation facility for 1600 asylum-seekers and staff, to include a gymnasium, games room and library, can be built on Manus Island within nine months, according to tender documents.
Australian contractors experienced in projects worth at least $100m as well as working in Southeast Asia are invited to lodge expressions of interest to build an 800-person accommodation facility for asylum-seekers as well as a block for 800 staff at the Lombrum Base on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea.
The contract is separate to an earlier $137m Manus Island project awarded to Perth company Decmil, which is aimed at housing women, children and vulnerable asylum-seekers.
"The tenders relate to two different projects," a spokesman for Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said last night.
The project, released to the market on Saturday, calls for contractors to also lodge expressions of interest to build central dining, welfare and logistics facilities for up to 2800 asylum-seekers and staff.
Although it will feature a gym and library, Manus Island will not be a deluxe facility.
The government's design principles call for accommodation to be "basic, yet functional".
"Transferee accommodation rooms are proposed to be furnished with basic and functional fittings. Each transferee accommodation unit is proposed to comprise two or three bedrooms to allow for flexible use. The units will be serviced by communal bathroom facilities in each accommodation block."
Transferees will not be allowed to cook their own meals, with food to be prepared in a centrally located kitchen facility.
A Sydney architect yesterday estimated the design and construction cost of the facility at more than $300m.
The required design life for the buildings is at least 10 years and at least 20 years for engineering services, according to the government's request for tender document obtained by The Australian.
The Immigration Department prefers double-storey accommodation for the asylum-seekers due to the restricted nature of the site. Recreational facilities for 800 people include internet and phone rooms, a prayer room and central laundries.
The kitchen is expected to serve up to 9000 meals a day.
The maximum overall site occupancy is 2800 people and the medical facility needs to cover primary healthcare services, including medical, dental, X-ray and mental health service provision. Maintenance facilities must provide for more than 100 vehicles. A wharf, roads, fencing, sewerage systems and potable water systems are also required.
The federal government awarded the $137m contract to Decmil in July. Construction of Decmil's facility is under way. It is understood the company will bid for extra work on Manus.
