Infrastructure: Budgeting for buildings, bases and bits and pieces

1 July 2007

By Katherine Ziesing

Defence infrastructure covers such a wide range of spending from the department as a whole. With numerous projects in various stages of approval, we hope to provide an overview of what's on the table in the not too distant future.

Defence infrastructure has been flagged in the Defence budget this year to the tune of $904.5 million in this financial year alone, with ongoing projects adding millions more. The split between providing new capability and upgrading old facilities in 2007-08 is about half and half.

There is $499 million worth of capital infrastructure projects in 2007-08 to deliver increased capability and improved support for the ADF and $405.5 million on estate upkeep to maintain Defence's extensive existing base infrastructure.

Spending in 2007-08 includes:

* An allocated $108.6 million for three projects to address civil works, building construction, engineering services and base infrastructure upgrades at Holsworthy, Sydney. The projects provide working accommodation, training facilities, and supporting infrastructure for Special Forces units and includes the relocation of the 171st Aviation Squadron from Townsville to Sydney. The total cost of the projects is $393.7 million over the life of the projects.

* Our largest RAAF base at Amberley in Queensland is set to benefit from $63 million for base trunk engineering services, civil works and infrastructure. The project provides base trunk engineering services and infrastructure upgrades, working accommodation, workshops, and airside infrastructure upgrades to support the introduction of the KC-30B multi-role tanker transport capability and the relocation of the 9th Force Support Battalion. The total project cost is $285.6 million over the life of the project.

* $50 million for base infrastructure upgrades and construction of facilities and accommodation at RAAF East Sale, Victoria and RAAF Wagga, NSW. The project provides for working accommodation, training facilities and living accommodation for students and staff to allow the relocation from RAAF College at RAAF Williams, VIC and RAAF Edinburgh, SA. The total project cost is $133.4 million over the life of the project.

* $45 million for construction for operational and support infrastructure at HMAS Cairns, QLD. The project will provide new and refurbished facilities, additional berths and shore services for all home-ported vessels. The total project cost is $76.3 million over the life of the project.

* $19.5 million for supporting base infrastructure upgrades and working accommodation construction at Kokoda Barracks Canungra, QLD. The project provides for upgraded training, messing, and living-in accommodation. The total cost is $86.7 million over the life of the project.

* $14.4 million for new and refurbished facilities to support the introduction of the new MRH90 troop lift helicopters at RAAF Townsville, QLD. The project provides refurbishment of aircraft shelters, workshops and parts stores, and other supporting infrastructure. The total project cost is $20.0 million over the life of the project.

* $13.7 million for construction of ordnance loading aprons at RAAF Williamtown, NSW. The project has provided a major upgrade to base infrastructure and engineering systems, and working accommodation. These works are complete. The total project cost is $129.2 million over the life of the project.

* A further $141 million will be expended on other major and medium facilities projects throughout Australia.
The Government will also continue its commitment to fast track the $207.2 million stage 4 redevelopment of Lavarack Barracks in Townsville. Subject to Parliamentary clearance, construction is expected to start in late 2007 and be completed by 2011.

The Government is also committed to providing new facilities to support the Hardened and Networked Army and Enhanced Land Force initiatives and a number of proposals for single living accommodation as part of the Single Living and Environment Accommodation Precinct (LEAP) Phase 2 project.

These initiatives are currently being developed for the required approvals and Parliamentary clearance. The LEAP project alone is worth many millions of dollars across numerous bases to construction companies that may not usually do work with Defence every day but would be more than happy to have them on their books.

Further to the capital expenditure spending, Defence will spend $405.5 million on estate upkeep. This money will be spent on maintaining Defence's extensive existing base infrastructure, including airfields, naval bases, barracks, training ranges, cadet facilities and fuel farms.

Funds will also be used to meet community environmental and occupational health and safety regulatory requirements. The program of estate upkeep works will be developed each year with projects focusing on the areas of highest priority.

Work includes:

* refurbishment of living-in accommodation for soldiers, sailors and airmen;

* maintenance of airfield pavements and lighting;

* environmental monitoring and management works at Defence ranges and training areas;

* the renewal of in-ground services such as communications cabling, electrical reticulation and sewers;

* further enhancement of security at Defence bases;

* an extensive program of asbestos removal at Defence facilities; and

* repairs to fuel storage facilities.
Every other week, a new program for upgrades is released by the Minister for Defence. A few recent additions include;

* $101.3 million to upgrade the School of Signals at Victoria's Simpson barracks

* Bovis Lend Lease has won a $236 million redevelopment project at Mulwala in NSW

* $83.6 million for the redevelopment of the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay.

* $268.2 million for the delivery of facilities and infrastructure to support the new C-17 Heavy Air Lift capability at its home base of Amberley and at RAAF Bases Edinburgh, Darwin, Pearce and Townsville

* $142.2 million for the redevelopment of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Pearce in WA

And the list goes on. There is much work to be done to keep ADF facilities at a high standard. Whether or not industry will be able to cope with the high demand on time, skills and resources demanded by the ADF is another issue.