$80M for 20 projects to upgrade local Defence bases
Defence members and local businesses are set to benefit from 20 projects to upgrade and maintain Townsville’s Defence bases, worth $80 million.
The upgrades at Lavarack Barracks, RAAF Base Townsville and Ross Island will take place over the next year.
The combined mess facilities at Third Brigade will be refurbished, including roof and flooring replacements and upgrades, electrical upgrades including switchboards and generators, as well internal and external painting.
Meanwhile a lift replacement will take place at the Brigade Headquarters, and renewal and augmentation of the freshwater reticulation across the base. There will also be major refurbishments at the 3 CSSB precinct.
At RAAF Base Townsville, multiple buildings, workshops and aircraft shelters will be refurbished, including upgrades to bathrooms, kitchens, offices, lighting and ventilation. Major work will be undertaken on roofing and electrical components at the 10 Ordnance Loading Apron (OLA) structures. 20 electrical substations will also be removed and replaced across the Base, and the Central Emergency Power Supply (CEPS) facility will also be refurbished.
At Ross Island, the paint/blast facility will be upgraded with a dust filtration and grit recovery system.
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the major investment was intended to ensure the ADF’s local facilities were fit-for-purpose, as well as provide work for local businesses.
“Our ADF members are critical in ensuring the safety of our nation as well as our local community, so we always need to be making sure they have the latest facilities and equipment to enable them to do their job,” Mr Thompson said.
“That’s why we’re injecting $80 million into our local bases, because we’re serious about supporting those who support us in our time of greatest need.
“This also means a major flow-on effect for the local economy, and I’ll be working to ensure local businesses are awarded the contracts for this important work.”
The projects will be released via AusTender over the coming months.
ENDS