The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, today announced that more than 3,000 new permanent living-in accommodation units for single Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will be delivered around Australia.
Senator Feeney, representing the Minister for Defence, signed the approximately $4 billion contract for Phase 2 of Project Single Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct (Single LEAP) in Melbourne today.
“I am pleased to announce that, having successfully completed contract negotiations and undergone an extensive and competitive tender process, Plenary Living (LEAP 2) Pty Ltd has been selected as the Strategic Partner to deliver improved accommodation at 14 Defence bases,” Senator Feeney said.
“More than 3,000 new self-contained apartments in places like Townsville, Elizabeth, Rockingham, Wodonga, Puckapunyal, Wagga Wagga and Nowra will make a great addition to our Defence bases and ultimately to our Defence Force.
“This goes some way to fulfilling our 2010 election commitment. Environmental sustainability and maintaining local heritage will also be incorporated into design features of the new housing,” Senator Feeney said.
“This new housing will provide hundreds of Australian service men and women with a place to call home,” Senator Feeney said.
Accommodation will be delivered under a Public Private Partnerships arrangement. Under the strategic partnership arrangement, Plenary Living will be responsible for the finance, design, construction, operation and maintenance of these accommodation services at the 14 bases for the 33 year contract term.
Construction cost is approximately $1 billion, with ongoing provision for services for the following 30 years costing approximately $3 billion.
This project is the third of its kind to be delivered under a Public Private Partnership arrangement, following the successful delivery of Phase 1. Phase 1 delivered over 1, 300 units at RAAF Amberley, Enoggera Barracks and Holsworthy in 2008.
Media Contact: Lorna Clarke – 0408 345 730
