Amphibious capability to benefit city

TOWNSVILLE is Australia’s largest garrison city and will soon arguably be one of the nation’s most adaptable and diverse defence hubs.

The city has had a proud history as the home of infantry soldiers with 3rd Brigade, currently base for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment. But that wasn’t always the case. In what was one the biggest shifts to the Australian Army in Townsville’s recent history, the city welcomed the move of 3RAR from Sydney’s Holsworthy to the city in 2012. The move meant Townsville was the only city in the country to be home to three infantry battalions, one more than Brisbane and Darwin.

Now, just five years later, 3rd Brigade is experiencing another big shake- up with 2RAR set to transition from its traditional land- based combat responsibilities in October to an emerging amphibious role under the command of Brisbane- based 1st Division’s Amphibious Task Group.

The first big win is that it doesn’t appear Townsville will lose any of its troops currently working within the unit, as 2RAR will remain at Lavarack Barracks.

This is crucial because the value of each ADF member and their families play a key role in our broader economy.

While the finer details are still to be thrashed out, on the surface it appears the city may in fact see more Defence activity than it has before.

The pride of Australia’s Navy – the HMAS and – will be the mobile homes of 2RAR and with each visit to Townsville the more than 1000 troops on board may be granted shore leave, which is always a welcome shot in the arm for the city’s economy.

It will also put Townsville at the forefront of amphibious innovation and enhanced overall interoperability between the army, air force and navy, which is invaluable in an increasingly unstable Pacific and Asian region. The transition also anchors the importance of major projects like the Port of Townsville expansion and dredging to ensure these enormous ships can easily come and go.

Whether it be in combat, training or humanitarian aid, the city will be ready to support the ADF’s emerging amphibious capabilities and be proud to see our navy ships call Townsville home more often.