The government will invest more than $31 million in the first tranche of a two tranche project that will provide additional infrastructure for Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) in Bungendore, near Canberra, to support the doubling of the facility’s original capacity.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said HQJOC and its supporting infrastructure must expand to accommodate a significant increase in personnel needed to plan and conduct operations on a daily basis, in Australia and abroad.
“HQJOC is not only key for the defence of Australia, but also the protection of our borders in these challenging geostrategic times,” Minister Reynolds said. “We have seen the vital role HQJOC played in the Australian Government’s response to the Black Summer bushfires and COVID-19. This investment will improve the facility’s capacity to support the ADF’s response to domestic and international crises.
“When the expansion is complete, HQJOC will house up to 1,400 personnel, doubling its capacity from when it was originally built in 2008, to cater for increasingly complex multi-domain operations including cyber and space.
“This increase in the number of personnel based at HQJOC over the coming years will provide a significant boost to the local Bungendore economy on an ongoing basis.”
“The upgrades at HQJOC will make the ADF more capable for the wide range of potential scenarios and threats Australia will face in the future,” Minister Reynolds said.
“This first tranche of works extends out to mid-2022 and will provide a valuable opportunity for small businesses in Bungendore and Queanbeyan," Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, said. "The project will support construction jobs and ensure economic benefits flow to a region that has seen its share of recent challenges."
“Defence will leverage existing contract arrangements to expedite these works and ensure local industry content is maximised.”
Works on the project are expected to commence in August this year and will include the delivery of security accreditation works, a 1.9 megawatt solar farm, a car park upgrade, and site preparation works ahead of the next tranche of work that is expected to commence in 2022.