BUDGET 2009-10

$536.7 MILLION IN DEFENCE INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING FOR QUEENSLAND

The Rudd Government today announced $536.7 million in the 2009-10 Budget to maintain, upgrade and build new Defence facilities in Queensland.

The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, said “The Rudd Government’s commitment of $536.7 million in the 2009-10 Budget includes $458.3 million for approved Defence facilities projects, and $78.4 million for Defence estate upkeep.”

“This is a significant investment in Defence infrastructure that invests in jobs and the Queensland economy,” said Mr Fitzgibbon. 

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Mike Kelly AM MP, said that the expenditure would cover a number of projects across Queensland, and would include important asbestos remediation works.

Capital infrastructure—significant projects

Key capital works projects for which $458.3 million of funding is allocated in 2009-10 include:

–               $60.0 million in 2009-10 for work on the $331.5 million RAAF Base Amberley Redevelopment Stage 3 project. This will provide trainee facilities, live-in accommodation, medical and working accommodation, maintenance facilities, a fuel farm and upgraded base security.  Key facilities will be completed progressively from 2010 to late 2011.

–               $18.0 million in 2009-10 for RAAF Base Amberley and RAAF Base Townsville for the $268.2 million Heavy Airlift Capability Permanent Facilities project.  This project includes a headquarters, maintenance facilities, air movements and cargo facilities, a simulator, warehousing and support facilities, airfield pavement works and at the Amberley home base.  The upgrading of airfield pavements, movements and cargo facilities and supporting infrastructure at RAAF Townsville, Edinburgh, Darwin and Pearce are also included. Construction is scheduled for completion by late 2010.

–               $60.0 million in 2009-10 for the $110.1 million Australian Super Hornet Facilities project. This will provide facilities and infrastructure to support future air combat capabilities and the transition into service of the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Construction will commence in 2009 for completion in late 2010.

–               $42.0 million in 2009-10 to continue work on the $80.2 million Enoggera Base Redevelopment Stage 1 project. This will upgrade base facilities and infrastructure and provide office accommodation for the headquarters of 7th Brigade.  Construction is scheduled for completion by 2010.

–               $45.0 million in 2009-10 for the Multi Role Helicopter Facilities project at Enoggera, Oakey and Townsville.  These works are part of the $137.2 million project to meet the operational, maintenance and training requirements of the new Multi Role Helicopter, and includes refurbishment of existing facilities and construction of purpose-built facilities simulator training facilities.  Construction is scheduled for completion by late 2010.

–               $67.0 million in 2009-10 to continue work on the $207.2 million Lavarack Barracks Redevelopment Stage 4 project.  This project will provide office and working accommodation, storage facilities and vehicle parking shelters.  Construction is scheduled for completion in 2011.

–               $85.4 million at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, $63.0 million at RAAF Base Amberley and $10 million at the Townsville Field Training Area, for works to proceed in 2009-10 on the $793.1 million Enhanced Land Force Facilities Stage 1 project.  This will provide modern purpose-built facilities and supporting infrastructure for the relocation of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment from Sydney to Townsville. The project also involves construction of new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure at Defence sites across five states.

–               $7.9 million in 2009-10 for various approved medium capital works at RAAF Base Amberley, the Townsville Field Training Area, Lavarack Barracks and Macrossan (see Table B). 

 (see Table A for a complete list)

Estate Upkeep

During 2009-10, Defence will spend around $78.4 million on estate upkeep in Queensland.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, said “Estate upkeep works provide for the ongoing maintenance of Defence’s extensive existing base infrastructure, with a rolling maintenance program being developed and revised each year, focusing on areas of highest priority”.

Works to be undertaken as part of the program in Queensland include:

·        asbestos remediation works at Oakey;

·        civil works and road maintenance at Shoalwater Bay Training Area; and

·        refurbishment of wharf fenders at HMAS Cairns.

Media contacts:

Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):         02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567
Mark Sjolander (Dr Mike Kelly):                           02 6277 4840 or 0407 102 220

Defence Media Liaison:                                       02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

Attachment A

Table A. Approved QLD Major Capital Facilities Projects

Notes

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

2.     The $117.1m budget for Australian Super Hornet facilities project includes both the development and delivery phase budgets. The delivery phase budget of $110.1m has been adjusted to reflect the final expenditure from the development phase.

3.     Enhanced Land Force – Facilities Stage 1 has an approved budget of $793.1m covering ten locations: RAAF Richmond, Holsworthy, Singleton, Kapooka, Puckapunyal, Amberley, Townsville, Townsville Field Training Area (High Range), RAAF Edinburgh and Campbell Barracks.

4.     The Multi Role Helicopter Facilities project has an approved budget of $168.7m (includes $31.5m for simulation facilities being delivered by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and is reported by DMO) covering four locations, HMAS Albatross (Nowra), RAAF Townsville, the Army Aviation Centre (Oakey and Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera (Brisbane).

5.     These projects cross state boundaries. Expenditure estimates for 2009-10 are provided in the table per location.

Table B. Approved QLD Medium Capital Facilities

Note

1.     Joint Theatre Distribution Systems Facilities has an approved budget of $13.3m covering two locations, Lavarack Barracks and Macrossan Depot.