Construction for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area expansion in Central Queensland and the establishment of a new training area near Greenvale in North Queensland have commenced.
Singapore is investing $2.25 billion to establish a training area in Greenvale and expand Shoalwater Bay Training Area for their use. The training areas are Commonwealth property and the ADF will have priority use.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the start of construction is a significant milestone for the training initiative.
“The Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative will deliver advanced military training areas in Central and North Queensland while meeting the future needs of the ADF,” Minister Reynolds said.
“The Shoalwater Bay Training Area is one of Australia’s most important Defence training areas, and its expansion will not only deepen our Defence relationship with Singapore but also support economic growth in the region.”
“To date, local businesses from Central and North Queensland have been engaged in the design and construction of the new training area valued at $28 million, creating local jobs and opportunities for the community,” Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said.
“It’s fantastic to see that two Rockhampton-based companies have been awarded contracts worth $5 million to deliver fauna management and fire breaks as part of the expansion of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
“Meanwhile in North Queensland, a Charters Towers based company has been contracted to commence initial fencing and signage work of the expansion, worth around $750,000.”
Additional work packages for fencing, potable water supply, waste consumption, fuel supply, consumables and quarry products will be awarded as part of an anticipated 200 sub-contract packages that will be available over the next five years in Central Queensland.
Defence will hold information sessions in the Charters Towers and Townsville regions as part of the next release of work packages in North Queensland.