The development of a new military training area in North Queensland has reached a significant milestone with the first piece of infrastructure completed.
The $5.4 million explosive ordnance storage Earth Covered Building (ECB) at Mt Stuart in Townsville was funded by Singapore under the $2.25 billion Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI).
Minister for Defence Senator Linda Reynolds said the Singapore Armed Forces will now have access to explosive ordnance storage when they train in Australia.
“This project is a significant milestone for the ASMTI, and coincides with the start of early construction work on the new training area near Greenvale in North Queensland,” Minister Reynolds said.
“The ASMTI will deliver advanced military training areas in Central and North Queensland while meeting the future needs of the ADF.
“Completion of this facility highlights the strong bilateral Defence relationship between Australia and Singapore being fostered through the delivery of these advanced military training areas.”
Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the completion of the ECB was a boost to the local economy.
“It’s fantastic to see 17 companies from the Townsville region provided essential services to support construction of the ECB, including concrete supply, concrete reinforcement, waterproofing, electrical and communications works, fire protection, structural steel, civil works, security, site accommodation, mechanical works, painting and rendering,” Thompson said.
“This milestone highlights the progress of the ASMTI in North Queensland and demonstrates our Government’s commitment to local industry in the region.”
Defence will hold information sessions in the Charters Towers and Townsville regions as part of the next release of work packages in North Queensland. 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
Construction recently began on the Shoalwater Bay Training Area expansion and the new Greenvale area.