The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, officially turned the first sod on construction of new Living In Accommodation for single Australian Defence Force members at HMAS Coonawarra, Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin, in a ceremony today.
“This $72 million project will provide 232 units for single ADF personnel to live at HMAS Coonawarra.
“These new first class facilities will assist with both attracting and retaining Australians in the Defence Force for many years to come and provide single Service men and women with a place to call home.
“The accommodation will be built close to each rank groups’ mess and will feature self-contained apartments with phone and internet access, secure storage for personal possessions, undercover parking for motor vehicles and associated recreational facilities,” Mr Snowdon said.
Mr Snowdon said Sitzler Pty Ltd has been contracted to build the accommodation by July 2013.
“This project will mean more Defence personnel will live on base and reduce stress on the local housing market.
“It will also boost employment by providing an extra 60 local jobs,” he said.
The development will complement the heritage values of the accommodation at Larrakeyah Barracks, which dates back to 1932, it will preserve the alignment and style of the original buildings, ensuring the links to past service men and women who lived here remain strong.
The Australian Government Government has constructed more than 358 new homes, and invested more than $480 million in new projects in Darwin since 2007, with plans for more than a 1,000 new residences for Australian Defence Personnel.
Mr Snowdon said Larrakeyah Barracks is one of 14 bases receiving an improved standard of accommodation around Australia as part of the Project Single Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct (Single LEAP) Phase 2.
“This important project will deliver 3,015 accommodation units at 14 bases across every mainland State and Territory.
Media Contacts:
Marcus Butler (Minister Snowdon’s Office) – 02 6277 7820 or 0417 917 796
Defence Media Operations – 02 6127 1999