The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson,
Minister for Defence

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09 May 2006  

Tuesday, 9 May 2006

067/2006

$218.6 MILLION IN DEFENCE FUNDING FOR NEW SOUTH WALES

Defence facilities in New South Wales will benefit from $218.6 million in funding for 2006-07.

$170.9 million has been allocated to Defence facilities projects. A further
$47.7 million will be spent on Defence Estate upkeep works.

The investment in New South Wales includes significant work at Holsworthy and RAAF Williamtown.

At RAAF Williamtown, work will continue on the new and redeveloped facilities associated with the base redevelopment and to support the RAAF's airborne early warning and control capability. These works in total cost $129.2 million, with approximately $15 million dollars of that work programmed for the coming year.

At Holsworthy, work will continue on the $79.6 million Special Forces Training Facility, the $207.7 million Special Operations Working Accommodation, the Base Redevelopment Stage 1, and on the $92 million 171 Aviation Squadron relocation.

Approved capital facilities projects for New South Wales include:

Holsworthy – Special Forces Training Facilities

This project provides specialised ranges and training facilities to support Special Forces units based at Holsworthy. Key elements scheduled for 2006-07 include completion of the majority of the ranges and supporting infrastructure. Completion of the project is scheduled for mid-2007.

Holsworthy – Special Operations Working Accommodation and Base Redevelopment Stage 1

This project provides facilities to support a full-time Commando capability including the Tactical Assault Group (East), the Incident Response Regiment; and Special Operations Command elements, along with the upgrade of base infrastructure. Key elements scheduled for 2006-07 are civil works, building construction and base infrastructure upgrades. Completion is scheduled for mid 2009.

Holsworthy – 171 Aviation Squadron Relocation

This project will relocate 171 Aviation Squadron from Townsville to Holsworthy. Key elements scheduled for 2006-07 include the delivery of interim facilities and commencing construction of permanent facilities. Construction is scheduled for completion by mid-2008.

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

This 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. A key element scheduled for 2006 07 is the ordnance loading apron. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-2007.

Randwick – Disposal and Rationalisation – Interim Works

This project, which is related to the Defence property disposal programme, will allow the disposal of surplus land at Randwick . A key element scheduled for
2006-07 is the development of a public environmental park. Preparation of a further segment of the property for disposal is being progressed. Revenue received from the sale of the property will be returned to consolidated revenue.

Richmond – RAAF Richmond Reinvestment

This project involves a limited capital reinvestment to address pressing infrastructure deficiencies. Key elements scheduled for 2006-07 include high voltage electrical reticulation and upgrade of the stormwater system. This project is scheduled for completion in late 2006.

Ermington – Pre-Disposal Site Works

This project involves preparing the Ermington site for disposal. Key elements scheduled for 2006-07 include the completion of Stage 2 infrastructure works and finalising obligations under the Stage 1 sales contract. Completion is scheduled for late 2006.

RAAF College Relocation – East Sale and Wagga

This project will relocate the RAAF College from RAAF Williams (Point Cook) and RAAF Edinburgh to RAAF East Sale and RAAF Wagga. The project will provide working accommodation, training facilities, and living-in accommodation for College staff and students. Construction commenced in April 2006 and is expected to be completed in mid-2008.

 

Program of Major Works (by State, Federal Electorate and Locality)	Total Estimated Expenditure $m	Estimated Cumulative Expenditure to 30 June 2006 $m	Budget Estimate 2006-07 $m
NEW SOUTH WALES
Hughes
Holsworthy: Special Forces Training Facilities	79.6	68.5	11.1
Special Operations Working Accommodation and Base Redevelopment Stage 1	207.7	7.6	62.4
171 Aviation Squadron Relocation	92.0	2.0	33.4
Kingsford Smith
Randwick : Disposal and Rationalisation – interim works	8.8	2.0	6.6
Macquarie
Richmond : RAAF Richmond Reinvestment	35.0	31.8	1.0
Parramatta
Ermington: pre-disposal site works	33.1	21.6	7.5
Paterson
Williamtown: RAAF Williamtown – Redevelopment Stage 1 and Airborne Early Warning and Control Works	129.2	95.9	15.0
Riverina
RAAF Wagga: College Relocation (1)	66.7	5.0	30.0
Total New South Wales (2)	652.1	234.4	167.0

Note

1. The RAAF College Relocation Wagga / East Sale budget of $133.4m coves both locations i.e. RAAF East Sale ( Victoria ) and RAAF Wagga (NSW). The individual project budgets are anticipated budgets.
2. A further $3.9 million 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 New South Wales include the Holsworthy – Single Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct.

Estate Upkeep

The Government will meet its 2004-05 budget announcement to provide an additional $300 million over three years from 2005-06 to meet increasing costs of maintaining the Defence estate. The additional funding will bring planned expenditure on Defence estate upkeep to approximately $381.8 million during 2006-07.

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 2006-07 this will be approximately $47.7 million.

Examples of works to be undertaken in New South Wales include:

•  repairs to aircraft shelters at RAAF Williamtown;
•  refurbishment of lecture rooms at Singleton;
•  upgrading of communications cabling at RAAF Wagga;
•  maintenance on Balmoral Naval Hospital;
•  heritage stone works at Victoria Barracks Paddington;
•  upgrading of fire detection systems in living-in-accommodation at RAAF Richmond; and
•  refurbishment of water mains at HMAS ALBATROSS.

Media contacts

Nigel Blunden	(Dr Nelson)	02 6277 7800	0407 632 931
Rachel Kingsford Smith	(Senator Sandy Macdonald)	02 6277 3705	0408 019 537
Defence Media Liaison		02 6265 3343	0408 498 664

 

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