Explosive ordnance building completed

A $5.4 MILLION explosive ordnance storage building has been completed as part of the $2.25 billion Singapore defence deal.

The earth-covered building at Mount Stuart in Townsville was funded by Singapore under the Australia-singapore Military Training Initiative, and has been built for the new military training area being developed in Greenvale.

The initiative will involve about 14,000 Singaporean soldiers training for 14 weeks a year for 25 years.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the Singapore Armed Forces would now access explosive ordnance storage when they trained in Australia.

“This project is a significant milestone for the ASMTI, and coincides with the start of early construction work on the new training area near Greenvale,” Ms Reynolds said.

“The ASMTI will deliver advanced military training areas in Central and North Queensland while meeting the future needs of the Australian Defence Force. Completion of this facility highlights the strong bilateral Defence relationship between Australia and Singapore being fostered through the delivery of these advanced military training areas.”

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said the completion of the facility was a boost to the local economy.

“It’s fantastic to see 17 companies from the Townsville region provided essential services to support construction of the (building), including concrete supply, concrete reinforcement, waterproofing, electrical and communications works, fire protection, structural steel, civil works, security, site accommodation, mechanical works, painting and rendering,” Mr Thompson said.

Defence will hold information sessions in the Charters Towers and Townsville regions as part of the next release of work packages in North Queensland.