RAAF BASE DARWIN REDEVELOPMENT GIVEN ‘GO AHEAD’

The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, and the Federal Member for Solomon, Damien Hale MP, announced today that a major redevelopment of facilities for the Air Force will start later this year at RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory.

“The redevelopment will include a new Logistics Head Quarters, offices, fuelling equipment, mechanical equipment workshop, vehicle washbay and demolition of unnecessary facilities," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“The facilities replace inadequate and sub-standard facilities and will provide modern facilities to support the Air Force,” he said.

“Ensuring that our serving men and women have high standards of working facilities is vitally important,” Mr Hale said.

“I welcome the investment in infrastructure and facilities for RAAF Base Darwin,” he said.

The Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Public works has recommended the $49.8 million proposal to redevelop support facilities at RAAF Base Darwin proceed and this recommendation has been approved by Parliament.

Construction is planned to commence in mid 2009 and be completed by mid-2011.

Media contacts:

Jack Smith (Joel Fitzgibbon):      02 6277 7800 or 0408 116 423

Defence Media Liaison:              02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664