BUDGET 2009-10

$267.9 MILLION IN DEFENCE INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Rudd Government today announced total funding of $267.9 million in the 2009‑10 Budget to maintain, upgrade and provide new Defence facilities in South Australia.

The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, said, “The Rudd Government’s commitment of $267.9 million in the 2009-10 Budget includes $236.6 million for approved Defence facilities projects, and $31.3 million for Defence estate upkeep.”

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

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, said the expenditure would cover a number of projects across South Australia.

Capital Infrastructure—significant projects

Key capital works projects for which $236.6 million is allocated in 2009-10 include:

–               $213.0 million in 2009-10 for work to continue on the $597.4 million Hardened and Network Army Facilities project at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct and Murray Bridge Training Area.  This will enable the 7^th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment to move from Darwin to Adelaide.  Construction commenced in November 2008 and is scheduled for completion in 2012.

–               $11.9 million for work to proceed at RAAF Base Edinburgh 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. New construction and upgraded facilities and infrastructure will also occur at Defence sites across five states, including South Australia.

–               $8.7 million will be spent in 2009-10 on approved medium capital works facilities at Port Wakefield and the Edinburgh Defence Precinct (see Table B). 

 (See Table A for a complete list)

Estate Upkeep

During 2009-10, Defence will spend around $31.3 million on estate upkeep in South Australia.

“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 program in South Australia include:

·        road repairs and sealing at Proof & Experimental Establishments;

·        structural remediation works at Woomera Area School; and

·        removal and containment of lead-based paint in facilities at DSTO Edinburgh.

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 SA Major Capital Facilities Projects

Notes

1.     The $623.7m budget for Hardened and Networked Army facilities includes the development and delivery phase budgets. The delivery phase budget of $597.4m has been adjusted to reflect the final expenditure from the development phase.

2.     Hardened and Networked Army facilities covers three locations Edinburgh Defence Precinct, Murray Bridge Training Area and Cultana Training Area.

3.     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.

4.     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.

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

Table B. Approved SA Medium Capital Facilities