Renovation bill for Qld’s Parliamentary Annexe blows out past $58m

Taxpayers will pay more for the refurbishment of politicians’ bedrooms and offices, with the cost of a parliamentary upgrade blowing out for a second time.

Construction work and scaffolding around the Parliamentary Annexe building in Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Taxpayers will pay more for the refurbishment of politicians’ bedrooms and offices, with the cost of a parliamentary upgrade blowing out for a second time – but by how much is unknown.

Work to modernise and make safe the 40-year-old Parliamentary Annexe building was costed at $40m in 2022 but jumped to $58m a year later.

Now, scaffolding has damaged tiling and waterproofing, which Speaker Curtis Pitt said would further add to the cost.

“Unfortunately the Parliamentary Annexe refurbishment has not been immune to rising construction costs and some changes in methodology through the tender process,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Parliamentary Annexe requires its first midlife refurbishment and upgrade of major infrastructure to extend its life and bring it in line with current safety and technology standards and efficiency.”

Ministers, senior office bearers and politicians representing electorates outside of the Brisbane City Council area are offered the first available overnight accommodation in the 75-room annexe.

A bedroom in the Parliamentary Annexe prior to renovation

Members can also claim the $139 parliamentary overnight rate for staying in Brisbane during sitting weeks.

A major upgrade of the building – opened during Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s reign – received bipartisan support in 2021 when concrete pieces the size of golf balls started falling off its side.

It followed frequent water leaks and a fire in an airconditioning unit, which led to Liberal National MP Dale Last being treated for smoke inhalation.

The original $39.9m cost flagged in 2022 soared by $18m to $58m this year after the contract to repair the annexe was awarded.

However, Mr Pitt revealed the cost of overhauling the 40-year-old building would climb even higher.

“There will be further additional costs associated with some latent defects and restoration works required on level seven due to the need to replace waterproofing/tiles on level seven due to the extensive scaffolding that was put up,” he said.

“I am not in a position to detail these costs at this time.”

The budget also allocated $1.1m to cover the costs for offsite hotel accommodation for MPs.

A bathroom in the Parliamentary Annexe prior to renovation

The $58m investment compares to $8.5m spent by the state government on 23 social housing homes in Cairns, $9m for 18 units in Redcliffe, $2m for five units in Roma and $4.7m for 17 homes in Rockhampton.

It has also provided $23m for the Immediate Housing Response for Families program.

An upgraded annexe will provide more modern accommodation and working facilities for regional MPs, who use the facility during parliamentary sitting weeks.

It was the site of a sore sight in the 1980s when the late Labor Party member Ron McLean took supporters on a tour around the annexe, only to open the sauna door and expose then Nationals minister Russ Hinze nude.

One of the more publishable incidents to occur within the concrete halls of the parliamentary annexe happened in 2019 when a joyful treasurer Jackie Trad took a lit candle holder from the parliament’s dining room upstairs – only for it to be retrieved the following day in one of the residential areas.

An office area in the Parliamentary Annexe prior to renovation

The incident caused a stir and promoted a report to the Speaker, with the old annexe considered a furnace in waiting.

As part of the redevelopment Sir Joh’s spa bath in will be removed and the Premier’s suite gutted and made smaller to make way for more rooms.

The suite had the biggest bedroom in the building and included a living area, office space, kitchen, master bedroom, small guest room, and bathroom with mustard yellow tiles.

Infrastructure projects across the state have recorded blowouts, prompting the federal government to this month review the cash provided for major road and rail developments.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Tuesday was left stumped when it was revealed by the federal government the cost of Gold Coast Faster Rail, originally a $2.6bn project, would now cost $5.7bn.

Mr Bailey had repeatedly refused to reveal the cost, only saying it was “a bit more” than $5bn.

A spa in the Parliamentary Annexe prior to renovation

A suite in the Parliamentary Annexe before renovation

Speaker Curtis Pitt (right) with Clerk of the Parliament Neil Laurie inspecting the renovations. Picture: Instagram/Curtis Pitt

Originally published as Renovation bill for Qld’s Parliamentary Annexe blows out past $58m