Defence spends $ 1.25b in North
THE Department of Defence has spent more than $ 1.25 billion in just two years on employees, military bases, and its training facility in the North.
The figure comes at a time when military spending is set to explode with $ 2.25 billion from the Australia- Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to be spent over five years in the Townsville and Rockhampton regions.
In 2014- 15 and 2015- 16, annual Defence expenditure on Lavarack Barracks, RAAF Base Townsville, Ross Island Barracks and Mount Stuart Training Area was $ 643,100,000 and $ 598,888,000 respectively.
The bulk of the costs cover employee expenses, with other significant outlays on facilities, equipment and supplier expenses.
For the same periods, Defence expenditure on the Townsville Field, Cowley and Tully training areas totalled $ 6,336,000 and $ 11,205,000 respectively.
In addition, Defence’s estimated cumulative expenditure to June 30, 2016 for approved capital facilities projects was $ 230.2 million in the North.
The figures were published this week in the second interim report on the impact of Defence training activities and facilities on rural and regional communities.
Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said the huge spend proved how critical the Australian Defence Force’s contribution was.
“It’s really wonderful to see Defence recognising its importance and is investing into the Townsville community because it really builds us up as the capital of Northern Australia,” she said.
“We really need to continue to enhance that position month by month and, over the next few decades, build the capacity to grow the population to the degree we need to in the next 20 to 30 years.”
Ms O’Toole said the challenge now was to ensure the ADF kept up its significant spending.
“What’s really interesting to note is what the return on investment for every dollar would be, because I suspect it would be very high when you look at retail and services like education and health,” she said.
“What it also does for the people of Townsville is put hope back into the economy, which is gently building now.”
In the second interim report, Mayor Jenny Hill stated her strong support for the location of military training facilities in the region.
“The submission observed that the city was proud of its historical and current military role and there was strong support to sustain and expand Townsville’s capability,” the report stated.
Last month, the Bulletin revealed the Department of Defence awarded $ 11,459,298.91 worth of contracts beginning in February 2016 to August this year to Townsville entities.