The Hon. Teresa Gambaro, MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence
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10 May 2005
BUDGET 2005-06
More than $36 million in Defence funding for Victoria
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence Teresa Gambaro said Victoria would benefit from approved Defence facilities projects totalling approximately $31.1million in the 2005-06 Budget.
"Subject to Defence planning processes, approximately $5 million will also be spent in 2005-06 on Defence estate upkeep works.
"The investment in Victoria will see significant funds being allocated to the Defence Science and Technology Organisation facilities at Fishermans Bend, including the construction of high technology research and laboratory facilities to support the Australian Defence Force," Ms Gambaro said.
Some 14,032 members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Department of Defence personnel are based in Victoria.
Approved capital facilities projects for Victoria include:
Fishermans Bend - Relocation of Defence Science and Technology Organisation Platforms Sciences Laboratory
This project relocates science and technology functions from Maribyrnong to Fishermans Bend. It includes the integration of common functions and the construction of enhanced research and laboratory facilities.
Geelong - Construction of Army Multi-User Depot
This project will consolidate and rationalise a number of Reserve depots into a single location in Geelong with redevelopment of Myers Street Depot including renovation, demolition and new building works.
East Sale Child-Care Centre
The purpose of this project is to construct a new 50 place childcare centre at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria, to provide childcare services for children of ADF members, and include working accommodation for staff.
Bandiana - Latchford Barracks - Weapons Training Simulation System
The project is to construct a facility to house the small arms Weapons Training Simulation System (WTSS) at Latchford Barracks. The WTSS is an indoor 12 lane, laser-based simulation system that employs modified weapons and computer generated graphics.
Laverton - Defence International Training Centre
Refurbishment of existing buildings to accommodate 200 Defence International students and staff of the Defence International Training Centre.
Williams - RAAF Band - Training and Rehearsal Facility
Provision of a purpose designed band facility to accommodate about 45 personnel with instruction, training and practice areas, recording facilities, music library, equipment and instrument storage and repair.
Puckapunyal - Australian Light Armoured Vehicle Mission Essential Training Facility
This project will provide training facilities, vehicle shelters, equipment storage facilities and a driver training circuit at The School of Armour at Hopkins Barracks.
Puckapunyal - Regional Training and Simulation Centre
This project involves the refurbishment of Tobruk Barracks to provide a Regional Training and Simulation Centre for the Royal Australian Army.
| Program of Works (State, Federal Electorate and Locality) |
Total Estimated Expenditure $million |
Estimated Expenditure to 30 June 2005 $million |
Budget Estimate 2005-06 $million |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Ports | |||
| Fishermans Bend - Relocation of Defence Science and Technology Organisation Platforms Sciences Laboratory | 106.2 | 52.0 | 20.0 |
| Corio | |||
| Geelong - Construction of Army Multi-User Depot | 4.3 | 0.2 | 3.8 |
| Gippsland | |||
| East Sale - East Sale Child-Care Centre | 3.6 | 3.0 | 0.5 |
| Indi | |||
| Latchford Baracks - Weapons Training Simulation System | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 |
| Lalor | |||
| Williams - RAAF Band - Training and Rehearsal Facility | 4.1 | 0.1 | 2.0 |
| Laverton - Defence International Training Centre | 2.4 | 0.3 | 2.1 |
| McEwan | |||
| Puckapunyal - Regional Training and Simulation Centre | 2.2 | 0.3 | 1.1 |
| Puckapunyal - Australian Light Armoured Vehicle Mission Essential Training Facility | 3.5 | 2.8 | 0.7 |
| Total Victoria | 127.9 | 59.4 | 31.1 |
* Some totals may slightly vary from PBS due to rounding.
Additional expenditure is expected to be announced during the year as further projects are considered for approval. Projects scheduled for Victoria include the Defence Force School of Signals and RAAF Colleges.
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 Victoria over the next three years. During 2005-06 this will be approximately $13 million.
Works to be undertaken in Victoria include:
- Repairs and maintenance of heritage buildings at Fort Queenscliff.
- Replacement of aircraft oxygen storage facilities at RAAF Base East Sale.
- Repairs to a cooling tower at the Defence Science and Technology Organisation's site at Fisherman's Bend.
- A feasibility study for the realignment of the Greensborough Road entrance to Simpson Barracks.
- Repairs to the dental clinic flooring at Puckapunyal.
- Upgrade of security at Victoria Barracks.
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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