Budget 2010: Defence upgrades plant at Canberra data centres

Defence has been allocated $6.7 million to fund capital works at two of its data centres in Canberra.

The works at Defence Computing Bureau facilities in the Canberra suburbs of Deakin and Tuggeranong were part of the $13.3 million Defence Computing Data Centres—Infrastructure Upgrades project, according to 2010-11 Budget papers.

Various parts of the upgrade projects were put out to tender in August last year.

According to tender documents, Deakin works put to tender so far accounted for up to $8 million.

The work consisted "but was not limited to major upgrades to air conditioning, ventilation and control systems, electrical services and some building and security works."

Work put to tender so far in Tuggeranong were worth between $150,000 and $250,000.

It covered similar areas to Deakin but was described as "minor works" by comparison.

Defence also secured funding for "new biometrics capabilities" to protect Australian troops in Afghanistan - the details of which are yet to be disclosed.