Tuesday, 9 May 2006

071/2006

$19.7 MILLION IN DEFENCE FUNDING FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Defence facilities in Western Australia will benefit from $19.7 million in funding for 2006-07.

$3.8 million has been allocated to approved Defence facilities projects. A further $15.9 million will be spent on Defence Estate upkeep works.

Two capital facilities projects are under construction at bases in Western Australia.

Garden Island – HMAS Stirling – Guided Weapons In-Service Sustainment

This project will provide new office accommodation for the support of the torpedo maintenance programme. Facilities include offices, library, file room, reception area, ablutions and a 50 bay car park.

Karratha – Taylor Barracks – Trainee Accommodation

This project will provide a new multi-purpose trainee accommodation facility for the Pilbara Regiment. The facilities will replace temporary overflow accommodation that is in use throughout the year.

Program of Medium Works (by State, Federal Electorate and Locality)	Total Estimated Expenditure $m	Estimated Cumulative Expenditure to 30 June 2006 $m	Budget Estimate 2006-07 $m
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Brand
Garden Island – HMAS Stirling
Guided Weapons In-Service Sustainment	2.6	0.4	2.2
Kalgoorlie
Taylor Barracks – Trainee Accommodation	1.8	0.1	1.6
Total Western Australia	4.4	0.5	3.8

A further six projects are expected to receive Departmental approval during 2006-07. Additional expenditure is expected to be announced during the year as further projects are considered for approval. These projects include HMAS Stirling Submarine Land Based Test Facility, the ANZAC Ship Support Centre: Anti Missile Defence and the Navy Personnel and Training Centre (West).

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 Western Australia over the next three years. During 2006-07 this will be approximately $15.9 million.

Examples of works to be undertaken in Western Australia include:

• upgrading fire protection systems in aircraft hangars at RAAF Pearce;
• environmental management works;
• replacing roofing at Campbell Barracks Swanbourne;
• maintenance of working accommodation for the Pilbara Regiment at Irwin Barracks; and
• repairs to the fire hydrants and valves at HMAS STIRLING.

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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