The Hon Darren Chester MP
12 Feb 16
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Related ministers and contacts
The Hon Darren Chester MP
Assistant Minister for Defence
Media contact
- Brie Colley (Mr Chester’s office) (02) 6277 4029
- James Cannon (Tribunal) 0433 884 238
- Defence Media (02) 6127 1999
Release content
4 June 2015
The Department of Defence will sell the Pontville Small Arms Rifle Range Complex north of Hobart in Tasmania, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester MP, announced today.
The site at Pontville is approximately 517 hectares in size and includes the Pontville Camp Site and the rifle range area.
“Defence no longer needs the Pontville site for training or operations and as a result the site will be sold,” Mr Chester said.
Until February 2014 the site had been used by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
Pontville is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List and also contains sensitive flora and fauna areas. Any future use will need to be consistent with its heritage status and protect the environmental and heritage value of the site.
“Before the site is sold, Defence will engage with the local council and key stakeholders and will conduct necessary due diligence activities, including environmental site assessments,” Mr Chester said.
“The sale of the Pontville site supports government estate consolidation objectives and, at the same time, releases a useful parcel of land for purchase by the public.”
The Government has agreed to direct the net proceeds from the sale of Defence real estate to other Defence projects.
The Commonwealth Property Disposals Policy allows for open market sales at full market value and for off-market sales direct to local, state or territory Governments in certain circumstances.
Media note:
Further information is available on the Defence Property Disposals website: www.defence.gov.au/id/PropertyDisposals
Media contacts:
Brie Colley (Darren Chester’s Office) (02) 6277 4029
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999