BUDGET 2009-10

$250.9 MILLION IN DEFENCE INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING FOR VICTORIA

The Rudd Government today announced total funding of $250.9 million in the 2009‑10 Budget to maintain, upgrade and provide new Defence facilities in Victoria.

The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, said “The Rudd Government’s commitment of $250.9 million in the 2009-10 Budget includes $179.6 million for approved Defence facilities projects, and $71.3 million for Defence estate upkeep,”

“This is a significant investment in Defence infrastructure that will also benefit jobs and the Victorian economy,” said Mr Fitzgibbon. 

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, said that the expenditure would cover a number of projects across Victoria, including work to sustain the environment.

Capital infrastructure—significant projects

Key capital works projects for which $179.6 million has been allocated in 2009-10 include:

–               $30.0 million for work on the $36.4 million Bandiana Joint Logistics Unit Victoria Warehousing project. This project will provide a purpose-built support warehouse at Wadsworth Barracks, East Bandiana.  Construction is scheduled for completion in 2010.

–               $44.0 million for work on the $101.3 million Defence Force School of Signals project to provide new working accommodation, improved security and upgraded living‑in accommodation at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia.  The project is scheduled for completion in 2011.

–               $24.0 million to continue work on the $35.9 million Land Engineering Agency Test Services Relocation project. This project will relocate the existing land materiel test and evaluation functions from Maribyrnong to new facilities at Monegeetta.  The project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

–               $30.0 million for work on the $41.7 million Puckapunyal Redevelopment Project.  This will provide new facilities in the Puckapunyal Military Area, and includes a new headquarters building, training and briefing facilities, a multi-denominational chapel, and an improved entry precinct.  The project is scheduled for completion in late 2010.

–               $19.7 million for work at Puckapunyal to proceed on the $793.1 million Enhanced Land Force Facilities Stage 1 project. The primary aim of this project is to provide modern purpose-built facilities and supporting infrastructure for the relocation of the 3^rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment from Sydney to Townsville. The project will also involve the construction of new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure at Defence sites across five states, including Victoria.

–               $20.1 million for works in Victoria as part of the $111.1 million ‘Defence facilities at HMAS Harman and other locations’ project.  Completion is scheduled for late 2010.

–               A total of $11.8 million in 2009-10 for approved medium capital works at HMAS Cerberus, Bandiana, Monegeetta and Fishermans Bend (see Table B). 

 (See Table A for a complete list)

Estate Upkeep

During 2009-10, Defence will spend around $71.3 million on estate upkeep in Victoria.

“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,” Dr Kelly said.

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

·        repairs to aircraft hangars at RAAF Williams

·        coastal protection works at Point Cook

·        sustainable land management at Puckapunyal Military Area

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 VIC Major Capital Facilities Projects

Notes

1.     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.

2.     Defence Facilities at HMAS Harman and other locations has an approved budget of $111.1m covering two locations, one in the Australian Capital Territory and one in Victoria.

Table B. Approved Medium VIC Capital Facilities