"Defence recognises the high level of community and Council interest in the future use of the site, given its prominence in the city’s history and recognised cultural value," said Ms Gambaro.

"As a result, we have begun a process to update and expand the existing Heritage Management Plan into a Future Options Study to encompass and address heritage, indigenous, environment, cultural, town planning and community issues relating to the site."

Ms Gambaro said Defence had already started the consultation process, which would be extensive, open and transparent, to be overseen by a Jezzine Barracks Consultative Forum comprising key stakeholder representatives and senior Defence members.

"I would like to invite the Mayor to be an integral member of this Forum, which we hope will include Federal and State members as well as representatives from the Queensland Heritage Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Returned Services League, the Chamber of Commerce and the North Queensland Military Heritage Association.

"Unfortunately the Mayor was unavailable to meet with Defence project team members in Townsville last week, which is why they provided a background briefing to Council’s Director of Planning, Mr Peter Cardiff."

"The team has already offered to provide a full briefing to Council at a time suitable to them and a formal letter to the Mayor and Council has been sent."

Ms Gambaro said she was aware of Council’s publicly stated policy to have Defence Department land around Townsville placed into a community trust.

"Council’s preference for the future use of Jezzine Barracks and Kissing Point land will be considered as part of the future options study, which will develop a number of options following extensive community and key stakeholder consultation," she added.

Ms Gambaro said community input on the site’s importance will be gathered over the next five months by a Defence project team through one-on-one meetings, information bulletins, a 1300 telephone hotline, public displays, workshops and letters.

"This consultation process is the lynchpin in developing future options for Jezzine Barracks and Kissing Point. All input will be considered and included in a report for Government to make a decision," Ms Gambaro added.

Jezzine Barracks is currently the location of Headquarters 11 Brigade, which will move to Lavarack Barracks around early 2007. Kissing Point Fort is listed on the Register of the National Estate and the Commonwealth Heritage List.

"While the Federal Government will determine the final outcome, this is an ideal opportunity for issues to be raised by the community and key stakeholders and incorporated into the planning options," Ms Gambaro said.

"This comprehensive process will enable all interested parties and people to have an input."

ENDS