The Joint Combined Training Centre initiative will provide vital training experience for the Australian Defence Force as well as providing a valuable boost to local Communities, Defence Minister Robert Hill said today.
"The JCTC initiative will establish a network of state-of-the-art facilities where Australian and U.S. forces can undertake joint training, supported by improved instrumentation and simulation," Senator Hill said.
Earlier this month Senator Hill announced that Australia and the U.S. had agreed to the concept of developing a Joint Combined Training Centre at the annual Australia-United States Ministerial consultations (AUSMIN) in Washington.
Under the JCTC concept, Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, and Bradshaw Field Training Area and the Delamere Range facility in the Northern Territory, will be upgraded and subsequently linked with compatible US training facilities. Specific projects in relation to the upgrades still need to be approved by both Governments in the coming months.
"The initial priority will be to upgrade SWBTA’s facilities to better support Exercise Talisman Sabre 2007.
"Talisman Sabre 2007 has been programmed for some time and will see Australian and U.S. Military personnel undertake land, sea, and air training in a variety of simulated scenarios.
"The Talisman Sabre series is a major exercise – other training activities supported by JCTC facilities may be much smaller and include exercises by units such as Rockhampton’s 42 RQR.
"The U.S. is not seeking to base forces in Australia and the U.S. has made no request to pre-position training equipment in Australia. The Australian Government will continue to own, manage and control all JCTC facilities located in Australia."
In relation to Shoalwater Bay, Senator Hill said Defence was aware of its importance to the Livingston Shire and expects that this initiative will give a significant economic boost to the region.
"Preliminary findings from research by the Central Queensland University indicate that Defence’s contribution to the Central Queensland Region economy is estimated to be up to $50 million dollars during years when large multi-national exercises are conducted. This contribution is through the purchase of food, electricity, fuel, equipment, repairs and other goods and services," Senator Hill said.
"The Government appreciates that Shoalwater Bay is an important heritage and environmental asset and Defence is aware of its responsibility to protect and manage this land.
"Defence has for many years made financial contributions to the upkeep of roads to Shoalwater Bay and is currently consulting with the Livingstone Shire on the level of Defence contribution in the 2004/05 Financial Year.
"Any the new facilities needed to support these activities will involve appropriate consultation and be developed in accordance with our current rigorous environmental planning considerations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
"A consultative process is in place which includes regular meetings of the Shoalwater Bay Environmental Advisory Committee. This will continue to be the case with any changes associated with the JCTC."
