Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence Fran Bailey said tonight that New South Wales would benefit from approved Defence facilities projects totalling approximately $85 million in the 2004-05 Budget.

Subject to Defence planning processes, an extra $27 million per annum will be spent over the next four years on Defence estate upkeep works.

Some 19,400 members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Department of Defence personnel are based in New South Wales.

"The investment in New South Wales includes significant work at both RAAF Richmond and RAAF Williamtown.

"At RAAF Williamtown more than $40 million dollars will be spent on a range of new and redeveloped facilities associated with the RAAFs airborne early warning capability and a new 90 place child care centre.

Capital facilities Projects for New South Wales include:

This project replaces existing facilities and services that are beyond economical repair. It includes redevelopment of the operational and administration support facilities. Outstanding elements include engineering services and the flight deck procedural training facilities which are due for completion by late 2005.

The project aim is to supplement existing facilities for 4 RAR(Commando) and the Incident Response Regiment to extend their capacity whilst permanent facilities are developed.

This project involves a limited capital reinvestment to address pressing infrastructure deficiencies. The individual building works associated with the reinvestment project support the current operations of the Air Lift Group as well as an upgrade of the base engineering infrastructure. Construction is scheduled to commence by mid-2004 and be completed by the end of 2005. Major works for 2004-05 are a squadron headquarters complex and maintenance workshops.

The project aims to upgrade the existing fuel facility at RAAF Base Richmond. This will require the decommissioning and dismantling of Fuel Farm 1. Works are required to relocate the hydrant refuelling system to Fuel Farm 2 and to upgrade Fuel Farm 2.

This project is aimed at upgrading the liquid and gaseous oxygen storage facility to ensure a safe working environment for all staff, and to achieve compliance with the standards and address the major non-conformances identified.

The project involves preparing the 21.28 hectare site for disposal. It includes two elements: progressive site filling and stabilisation of the soil; and the installation of infrastructure services including water, electricity and telecommunications. This will enable the site to be sold progressively in four stages over the coming years. Infrastructure works commenced in February 2004. Planning is proceeding in close consultation with the Ermington Resident's Committee.

RAAF Williamtown – Redevelopment Stage 1 and Airborne Early Warning and Control Works

The project provides a range of new and redeveloped facilities and infrastructure necessary for the introduction into service of the airborne early warning and control capability at RAAF Williamtown. The managing contractor for the main works will complete the planning phase by late 2004, with the delivery phase to commence by the end of 2004. Major works planned for 2004-05 include the airborne early warning and control aircraft hangar, taxiway widening and base engineering infrastructure upgrade works.

The project aims to construct a new childcare facility for up to 90 places at RAAF Base Williamtown.

The project aims to construct a storage facility to store the Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missiles (ASRAAM) Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM).

This project will provide office accommodation for an estimated 30 additional Tactical Fighter Project Management Unit (TFPMU) staff associated with the Hornet Upgrade Phase 2 Stage 3.

The project aim is to expand an existing communications building at Victoria Barracks, Sydney to accommodate an expansion in communication equipment holdings.

The Government will provide an additional $300m over three years from 2005-06 to meet increasing costs of maintaining the Defence estate. Defence has also redirected an additional $100m from within its existing budget to estate upkeep in 2004-05. The additional funding will bring planned expenditure on Defence estate upkeep to approximately $330m per annum for the next four years.

The additional funding will enable Defence to meet the increasing cost of maintaining its extensive base infrastructure, including airfields, naval bases, barracks, training ranges and fuel farms. Funds will also be used to meet community, environmental and occupational health and safety regulatory requirements.

The program of estate upkeep works is developed each year. The further funding is expected to result in the following additional expenditure on estate upkeep in New South Wales over the next four years. These amounts may change as planning processes proceed.

Examples of works to be undertaken in New South Wales in 2004-05 include:

• wharf repairs at Garden Island ship yards in Sydney;
• airfield maintenance at RAAF Williamtown; and
• rehabilitation works at Camp Sapper near Holsworthy.