3.18 The Committee's Manual notes the requirement for a site inspection to enable the Committee members to familiarise themselves with the setting of a proposed work, the condition or extent of any existing facilities, any unusual features or characteristics, matters concerning local geography that may have been raised in submissions and, generally, to obtain an appreciation for a particular location.
3.19 Of the 10 direct procurement projects examined, the nine projects that were for works in Australia included a site inspection for the Committee, arranged and conducted by Defence. In the one case where the work was overseas, RMAF Butterworth in Malaysia, a site inspection was not held. The public hearing was held in Canberra, and photographs of the site were provided during the hearing to allow the Committee to obtain a picture of the requirement for and planned scope of the works.