$331.5 MILLION RAAF BASE AMBERLEY REDEVELOPMENT STAGE 3

- APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT

I am pleased to announce that Stage 3 of the redevelopment of RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, has been recommended to proceed by the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Public Works and that this recommendation has been approved by Parliament.

The redevelopment works are valued at $331.5 million.  New construction and refurbishment works to be undertaken include new living-in accommodation, maintenance facilities, aviation fuel storage, working and training accommodation, a combined mess and a new physical fitness centre.

RAAF Base Amberley is the largest operational Air Force Base in Australia and is one of the key 'super' bases of the future. 

This redevelopment will sustain Amberley’s growing base population, including the newly arrived No 36 Squadron to operate the new C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, the planned relocation of 9^th Force Support Battalion in late 2007 and the introduction of the Multi-Role Tanker Transport (No. 33 Squadron) in 2009. 

This year the Government announced the acquisition of 24 FA-18/F Super Hornets which will also be based at Amberley.

This significant capital investment will have major economic benefits for the Ipswich region and local industry, with significant opportunities for skilled consultants, sub-contractors and the construction industry in general over the three years the construction period.

I would like to commend the Member for Blair, Mr Cameron Thompson, who is a dogged advocate for the RAAF Base and the Amberley community.

Subject to Parliamentary clearance of the project, construction is expected to begin in early 2008 with completion expected in late 2011.

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