The new Living In Accommodation for single ADF members at HMAS Coonawarra was officially opened in a ceremony today at Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin.

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon said Project Single Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct (Single LEAP) Phase 2 would deliver improved accommodation across 14 bases around Australia.

"Single LEAP is a great project which acknowledges that many of the ADF's single members are looking for quality accommodation close to their work," Mr Snowdon said.

"This important project will deliver a total of 3015 units at 14 bases across every mainland State and Territory and will offer independent living styles for long-term living-in accommodation for Australian Defence Force personnel.

"Particularly in places like Darwin where the rental market is tight, providing quality accommodation on-base can help to free up properties for the civilian population."

The accommodation features self-contained apartments with telephone and internet access, secure storage for personal possessions, personal balcony and undercover parking for motor vehicles and associated recreational facilities. These will be sited near the messes for each rank group. 

"By improving the on-base living standard we will also assist with both attracting and retaining Australians in the Defence Force for many years to come and provide single Service men and women with a place to call home,” Mr Snowdon said.

Plenary Living’s builder for this site and Robertson Barracks is Sitzler Pty Ltd which has employed around 120 local people and will have delivered 232 units at HMAS Coonawarra by July 2013 at a capital cost of $72 million.

A total of 686 units will be delivered at Robertson by March 2014.

Elsewhere:

Richard Crookes Constructions Pty Ltd is building in New South Wales at HMAS Albatross (Nowra), and RAAF Base Wagga and nearby Blamey Barracks (Kapooka);

Watpac Pty Ltd has been building at Lavarack Barracks (Townsville, QLD), in Victoria at Bandiana, Puckapunyal, and Simpson Barracks (Watsonia), and in the Australian Capital Territory at the Royal Military College - Duntroon, and the Australian Defence Force Academy (Campbell, ACT);

In Western Australia, Pindan Pty Ltd has been building at HMAS Stirling (Rockingham), and Campbell Barracks (Swanbourne); and

In South Australia, Built Environs Pty Ltd has been building at RAAF Base Edinburgh for 7 Royal Australian Regiment.

The project is the third of its kind to be delivered under a Public Private Partnership arrangement for the Australian Government and follows the successful delivery of Project Single LEAP Phase 1 and the Defence Headquarters Joint Operations Command Facility near Queanbeyan, New South Wales.

Media contacts:
Minister Snowdon’s office: Marcus Butler 0417 917 796
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999