Public Works Committee Hearings $793 Million Defence Project

APH Media Release
– 19th January 2009

The Parliamentary Public Works Committee will conduct hearings on $793 million worth of new facilities proposed by Defence for Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, RAAF Base Amberley, Brisbane , and six other locations to support the needs of Enhanced Land Force Stage 1.

The project proposes to provide accommodation and training facilities and site infrastructure upgrades, primarily to support the relocation of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment from Sydney to Townsville. It is proposed that accommodation facilities be provided at Kapooka, Singleton, Holsworthy and Puckapunyal and joint facilities provided at RAAF Bases Amberley, Edinburgh and Richmond.

Chair of the Committee, Mark Butler MP , welcomes public participation in the inquiry. ‘This project proposes a significant investment for a number of Defence bases around the country,’ Mr Butler said, ‘it is important that the community has their say on these developments. The Committee needs to know if local residents will be impacted by these proposals to ensure that they are in the best interests of the whole community.’

The Committee will be conducting a public hearing on the proposal in Townsville on 22 January 2009 and is inspecting a number of sites proposed for development. ‘The Committee will use this hearing to assure itself of the worth of the proposed project across all locations and to ensure that Defence can address concerns raised with the Committee by the public’ Mr Butler said.

Public Hearing 12.30pm, Thursday, 22 January 2009
Venue: Garden Room C, Mercure Inn, Woodcock Street, Townsville