BUDGET 2008-09

$1.1 BILLION FOR DEFENCE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

The Rudd Labor Government will provide $1.1 billion in the 2008-09 Budget for modernised Defence facilities, Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, announced today.

“This Government is committed to providing the Australian Defence Force with the facilities to support current and future capability, as well as providing Defence Force members and their families with the best possible services and accommodation,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said that in 2008-09, $747.8 million would be provided for infrastructure projects and $367.7 million would be spent on base maintenance.

Funding in 2008-09 includes major capital works totaling $552.5 million.  Projects include: (See Table A for complete list)

·        $42.1 million for the provision of Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence Systems at the new Headquarters Joint Operations Command which is nearing completion at Bungendore;

·        $130 million for the redevelopment of RAAF Base Amberley in south east Queensland;

·        $69 million for the redevelopment of Lavarack Barracks in Townsville;

·        $34 million for the redevelopment of RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia;

·        $130.2 million for the development of permanent facilities in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory to cater for Defence’s new heavy lift aircraft;

·        $17 million for the construction of permanent facilities at Holsworthy Army Barracks near Sydney following the relocation of 171 Aviation Squadron; and

·        $60 million to provide new working accommodation, improved security and upgraded living accommodation for the Defence Force School of Signals at Simpson Barracks in Victoria.

Funding on medium capital works on facilities throughout Australia in 2008-09 totals $71.5 million and includes: (See Table B for complete list)

·        $12 million for works at the West Head Gunnery Range at HMAS Cerberus;

·        $10 million for a replacement explosives storehouse at Port Wakefield; and

·        $7 million for the redevelopment of Western Street Depot at Rockhampton.

Works will continue on the Phase 1 of the Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct project, which will upgrade living accommodation for single members of the Australian Defence Force.  Works at Holsworthy, Enoggera and RAAF Amberley are underway.

Funding for proposed facilities projects foreshadowed in the Budget at Table C total some $123.8 million.  Approval for these capital works is expected to be announced in the 2008-09 financial year.

Defence will spend $367.7 million on base maintenance across Australia in 2008-09. Works to be undertaken throughout Australia in 2008-09 include:

·        an extensive program of asbestos removal at Defence facilities;

·        refurbishment of living-in accommodation for sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen;

·        environmental monitoring and management works at Defence ranges and training areas;

·        the renewal of in-ground services such as communications cabling, electrical reticulation and sewers;

·        upgrade of security at Defence bases;

·        repairs to fuel storage facilities; and

·        maintenance of airfield pavements and lighting.

“We want to support Defence Force members and their families by giving them the best facilities possible,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Media contacts:

Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):             02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567

Defence Media Liaison:                                           02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

Table A. Approved major capital facilities projects by State and Federal electorate

Notes

1.                    Increase in approved budget cost related to land acquisition, relocation and project management costs.

2.                    The budget figure is the addition of the approved project budgets for the RAAF Williamtown Redevelopment Stage 1 and Airborne Early Warning and Control Works and the addition of the Multi Role Tanker Transport Pavement Works projects.

3.                    Heavy Airlift Capability – Permanent Facilities has an approved budget of $268.2m covering five locations, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Edinburgh, RAAF Darwin, RAAF Townsville and RAAF Pearce.

Table B. Approved medium capital facilities by State and Federal electorate

Note

1.                    Follow-on Stand-off Weapon Facilities have an approved budget of $6.125m covering two locations, Defence Establishment Orchard Hills and RAAF Base Tindal.

2.                    Previously named Explosives Warehouse Replacement.

Status of Major Projects Foreshadowed for Government and/or Parliamentary Joint Statutory Committee on Public Works Consideration in 2008-09

During 2008-09, Defence expects to present a number of facilities proposals to the Government and the Parliamentary Joint Statutory Committee on Public Works. Table C provides details of the proposed major capital projects expected to be referred to the Parliamentary Joint Statutory Committee on Public Works in 2008-09.  In some cases the projects may require Government approval before referral to the committee.

Table C: Program of Major Works (by State, Federal electorate and locality)

Notes

1.               Hearing dates will be subject to the Committee’s consideration and agreement.

2.               This project was referred in 2007, but the referral lapsed due to the 2007 election.