Town set for army ‘ invasion’

CHARTERS Towers is gearing up for a Singapore invasion.

The $ 2.2 billion Australian- Singapore Military Training Initiative could see 14,000 Singaporean soldiers playing war games in the area for 14 weeks a year for 25 years.

The Townsville Bulletin understands that the new training area is likely to be established near the greater Wandovale and Pandanus Station districts, about 150km northwest of Charters Towers.

Pandanus is also the site of a highquality marble quarry.

Charters Towers Mayor Cr Liz Schmidt said landholders were already in voluntary negotiations with the Australian Army about property acquisitions for the Singapore deal.

Businessman Phil Hill- Warner, from Rural Mechanical Repairs, said the town’s business community was right behind the Singapore Army’s proposal to train troops in the area.

“We are very keen on it. Charters Towers is prepared and ready to support the training base,” he said.

Mr Hill- Warner said Charters Towers could provide everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to mechanical, earthmoving and engineering works.

He said he realised some materials would be sourced from Townsville, but added Charters Towers should be given the opportunity to provide goods where possible.

“And the point I make is that Townsville gets a flow- on effect from whatever is sourced from Charters Towers,” Mr Hill- Warner said.

“Townsville is part of the supply chain. But, on the other hand Charters Towers doesn’t get anything out of goods and services bought out of Townsville,” he said.

Cr Schmidt said the Singapore Army had given assurances that Charters Towers would be included.

“There will be a lot come out of Townsville, but I’m hoping there will a lot out come out of Charters Towers as well,” Cr Schmidt said.