Massive Defence Infrastructure Investment In QLD

The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP
Minister for Defence

Massive Defence Infrastructure Investment In Southeast Queensland

As part of the Government’s $4.5 billion Enhanced Land Force initiative, around $1.25 billion will be invested for new facilities to support the re-raising of the 8th/9th Battalion at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, in Southeast Queensland.

While detailed project planning is still to be completed, it is anticipated that around $900 million of this investment will be for facilities at Gallipoli Barracks. The balance of the investment may include the provision of enhanced training facilities at existing Defence bases in New South Wales and Victoria.

Subject to Parliamentary clearance of the project, construction is expected to commence in 2009 with completion expected in 2014.

Prior to this work commencing there will also be a redevelopment of the base to support current units and the Prime Minister announced today that the Government has committed a further $80.2 million for phase one of the redevelopment of facilities at Gallipoli Barracks.

This redevelopment will provide a new combined messing facility (servicing up to 1050 personnel), office accommodation and the upgrade to the engineering services, allowing Army to operate the base more efficiently and effectively.

The combined mess will complement the new single living-in accommodation which is being delivered through a strategic partner under a Public Private Partnership arrangement.

Subject to Parliamentary clearance of the project, construction will begin in mid-2008 with completion expected in early 2011.

Together, these large capital investments will have a significant economic benefit for the Brisbane region over the coming years.

There will be major opportunities for local skilled consultants, sub-contractors and the construction industry in general over the construction period, and it is expected that up to 500 jobs will be created as a result.

ENDS

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