BUDGET 2005-06

More than $140 million in Defence funding for New South Wales

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Teresa Gambaro said that New South Wales would benefit from approved Defence facilities projects totalling approximately $108 million in the 2005-06 Budget.

Of this $103 million will be spent on approved major facilities projects, while a further $5 million will be expended on approved medium facilities projects.

"The investment in New South Wales includes significant work at Holsworthy and RAAF Williamtown," Ms Gambaro said.

"At RAAF Williamtown work will continue on the new and redeveloped facilities associated with the RAAF's airborne early warning capability. These works in total cost more than $129 million with approximately $27 million dollars of that work programmed for the coming year.

"At Holsworthy, work will continue on the $80m Special Forces Training Facility while it is foreshadowed that approval will be granted for Special Forces Working Accommodation and associated Base Redevelopment.

"Subject to Defence planning processes, approximately $32 million will also be spent in 2005-06 on Defence estate upkeep works," said Ms Gambaro.

Some 25,664 members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Department of Defence personnel are based in New South Wales.

Approved capital facilities projects for New South Wales include:

Nowra - HMAS Albatross - Base Redevelopment

Work will continue on replacing existing facilities and services that are beyond economical repair. It includes redevelopment of the operational and administration support facilities. Outstanding elements include engineering services and the flight deck procedural training facilities which are due for completion by late 2005.

Holsworthy - Special Forces Training Facilities

This project provides specialised ranges and training facilities to support Special Forces units based at Holsworthy. To date civil works have been undertaken to prepare for the development of the infrastructure. Key elements scheduled for 2005-06 include construction of ranges and supporting infrastructure. This project is due for completion in late 2006.

Randwick Disposal and Rationalisation - Interim Works

This project, which is related to the Defence property disposal programme, will allow for the disposal of surplus land at Randwick. There has been progressive remediation of the surplus land. A community centre has been constructed in preparation for transfer to the Randwick City Council for community use. Key elements scheduled for 2005-06 include the development of a public environmental park and preparation of a further segment of the property for disposal.

RAAF Richmond - Reinvestment

Work will continue on a project involving a limited capital reinvestment to address pressing infrastructure deficiencies. The individual building works associated with the reinvestment project support the current operations of the Air Lift Group as well as an upgrade of the base engineering infrastructure. Major works for 2005-06 are a squadron headquarters complex and maintenance workshops.

Ermington - Pre-Disposal Site Works

This project involves preparing the Ermington site for disposal. It includes two elements: progressive site filling and stabilisation of the soil, and the installation of infrastructure services which will enable the site to be sold progressively over the coming years. The sale of Stage 1 was achieved on schedule in June 2004. Stage 2 is on the market, and is scheduled to be sold by June 2005. Planning of the site is proceeding in close consultation with the Ermington Residents' Committee. Key elements scheduled for 2005-06 include the completion of Stages 1 and 2 infrastructure services installation, and the disposal of the next sale lot.

RAAF Williamtown - Redevelopment Stage 1 and Airborne Early Warning and Control Works

The project provides a range of new and redeveloped facilities and infrastructure necessary for the introduction into service of the airborne early warning and control capability at RAAF Williamtown. Major works planned for 2005-06 include the completion of airborne early warning and control aircraft hangar, taxiway widening and base engineering infrastructure upgrade works.

Program of Works (State, Federal Electorate and Locality)	Total Estimated Expenditure $million	Estimated Expenditure to 30 June 2005 $million	Budget Estimate 2005-06 $million
Gilmore
Nowra - HMAS Albatross - Base Redevelopment	110.3	106.7	3.5
Hughes
Holsworthy - Special Forces Training Facility	79.6	16.2	50.0
Kingsford Smith
Randwick - Disposal and Rationalisation	8.8	4.0	4.5
Macquarie
Richmond - RAAF Richmond - Reinvestment	35.0	24.8	10.2
Parramatta
Ermington - Pre-Disposal Site Works	33.1	14.7	7.5
Paterson
RAAF Williamtown - Redevelopment Stage 1 and Airborne Early Warning and Control Works	129.2	49.3	27.5
Total New South Wales (Major Projects)	396.0	215.7	103.2

Some totals may slightly vary from PBS due to rounding.
A further $5m will be expended on approved medium projects not detailed in this table.

Additional expenditure is expected to be announced during the year as further projects are considered for approval. Projects scheduled for NSW include Holsworthy Special Operations Working Accommodation and Base Redevelopment Stage 1 and Relocation of 171 Aviation Squadron.

Estate Upkeep

The Howard Government will meet its 2004-05 commitment to provide an additional $300 million over three years from 2005-06 to meet increasing costs of maintaining the national Defence estate. The additional funding will bring planned expenditure on Defence estate upkeep to approximately $330 million per annum for the next three years.

The additional funding will enable Defence to meet the increasing cost of maintaining its extensive base infrastructure, including airfields, naval bases, barracks, training ranges and fuel farms. Funds will also be used to meet community, environmental and occupational health and safety regulatory requirements.

The programme of estate upkeep works is developed and revised each year. The further funding is expected to result in additional expenditure on estate upkeep in New South Wales over the next three years. During 2005-06 this will be approximately $32 million.

Works to be undertaken in New South Wales include:

Airfield maintenance at RAAF Base Richmond, HMAS ALBATROSS and Jervis Bay.
Installation of air-conditioning in soldiers living accommodation at Albury-Wodonga.
Replacement of the fire extinguishing system at HMAS WATSON in Sydney.
Repairs to aircraft shelters at RAAF Base Williamtown.
Repairs to the senior sailor's mess at HMAS ALBATROSS.
Cadet facilities at Albion Park aerodrome.
Indigenous site protection works at Beecroft Weapons Range.

Media contacts:
Michelle Smytheman (Parliamentary Secretary) 02 6277 4433 0418 777 498
Defence Media Liaison 02 6265 3343 0408 498 664

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