More Defence Jobs for South Australia
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, today announced that he has sped up negotiations with pastoral leaseholders to allow the $59 million expansion of Cultana Training Facility to occur. Expanding the facility will bring more defence jobs to South Australia.
The Department of Defence will shortly commence negotiations with pastoral leaseholders affected by the Cultana Expansion Project in South Australia.
Senator Feeney met with pastoralists in February 2011. The pastoralists expressed concern about delays in negotiation processes.
“Following my meeting with the South Australian pastoralists, I investigated ways to speed up the negotiation process. I made sure that direct negotiations between the Department of Defence and the pastoral leaseholders could begin as soon as possible,” Senator Feeney said.
“I want to make sure that the ADF have the best training facilities available and more defence jobs come to South Australia. These jobs will be vital to areas such as Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie, as well as Adelaide.”
Negotiations between Defence and the pastoral leaseholders can now proceed while Defence continues to address a range of other legal obligations.
The Department of Defence will be contacting the pastoralists and their representatives in the coming weeks to discuss the acquisition process, including the basis for valuations.
Expansion of the Cultana Training Facility is critical to the capability of Special Operations Command and 1st Brigade, including 7 RAR and supporting elements now based at Edinburgh. Elements of 1st Brigade including 7 RAR, relocated to Edinburgh in January 2011.
Media Contact: Lorna Clarke – 0408 345 730
