FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTRIBUTE $8.2 MILLION TO FUND KINGS HIGHWAY UPGRADE

The Federal Government will contribute $8.2 million towards improving the Kings Highway between Queanbeyan and Bungendore.

The funding contribution acknowledges that the traffic load created by the decision to locate the Defence Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) near Bungendore will have some impact on all users of the Kings Highway.

A Defence traffic study carried out between February and August this year indicated that four overtaking lanes and a major intersection upgrade at Captains Flat Road are needed to maintain traffic flows on the Kings Highway.

Earlier traffic surveys on the impact of increased traffic on the Kings Highway between Bungendore and Queanbeyan conducted by Roads ACT and the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority have formed a useful basis for the Defence survey.

Defence will immediately begin consultations with both Roads ACT and the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority on the delivery strategy and commencement date for the road works.

The Australian Government recognises its responsibilities for the safety of Defence personnel and all those who travel to and from the new headquarters site. 

This funding for these upgrades to the Kings Highway will form part of a development strategy to address traffic issues which is required to be provided to the Minister for Environment and Water Resources under the environmental conditions of approval for the HQJOC Project. 

HQJOC will bring together all elements of the planning and command and control of Australian Defence Force operations.

Construction related activity commenced in November 2006 and the project remains on schedule for Defence staff to begin occupation of the new facility towards the end of 2008.

The Defence Headquarters Joint Operations Command facility will provide significant economic benefit to the region, including through:

• the creation of around 400 construction jobs during the construction phase of the project;

• sourcing of sub-contractors and materials from the local region;

• Codarra Advanced Systems, a Queanbeyan-based company, being contracted to provide C4I systems project management and systems engineering services;

• over 70 support staff being recruited by Spotless Services Australia to provide the facilities management services for the site, which will mean long term employment opportunities and ongoing demand for goods and services;

• and the influx into the Canberra and Queanbeyan region of around 600 Defence permanent positions over the period from December 2006 to January 2009 and all of the significant flow-on advantages that this brings to the community over the longer term.

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