THE HON DR BRENDAN NELSON MP

Minister for Defence

PETER LINDSAY MP

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence

BUDGET 2007-08

$ 22.9 MILLION IN DEFENCE spending FOR

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Defence facilities in South Australia will benefit from $22.9 million in funding for 2007-08.

• $2.0 million has been allocated to approved Defence facilities projects;

• $20.9 million will be spent on Defence Estate upkeep works.

Further investment will be made in facilities infrastructure in South Australia over the next seven years as part of the Hardened and Networked Army and Enhanced Land Force (ELF) initiatives. 

The approved capital facilities project for South Australia provides for interim facilities for RAAF 87 Squadron.

Significant additional expenditure is expected to be announced during the year for the facilities to support the introduction of the C-17 heavy air lift capability and for the Single Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct Phase 2 proposal at RAAF Edinburgh.

Estate Upkeep

Estate upkeep works provide for the ongoing maintenance of Defence’s extensive existing base infrastructure, including airfields, naval bases, barracks, training ranges, cadet facilities and fuel farms.  The rolling maintenance program is developed and revised each year, focussing on areas of highest priority.  During 2007-08 Defence will spend approximately $20.9 million on estate upkeep in South Australia.

Examples of works to be undertaken in South Australia include:

·        ongoing performance-based maintenance of fixed plant and equipment;

·        reactive maintenance in response to inevitable break-downs, faults and failures;

·        environmental monitoring, management and remediation works on field training areas and firing ranges;

·        road repairs and maintenance on Range E at Woomera;

·        repairs to weapons firing range at RAAF Edinburgh;

·        provide a training facility for cadets at Hampstead Barracks;

·        construct a vehicle wash point at Murray Bridge Training Area; and

·        asbestos removal at Woodside Barracks.

Media contacts

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