Defence jobs bonanza Multimillion-dollar project will need hundreds of workers
A $235 million Defence project which includes a new simulation training centre for Townsville will need hundreds of workers by November.
A $40 million three-storey “simulator facility” which will be used by the 3rd Brigade’s troops at Lavarack Barracks under the Defence Department’s national Armoured Fighting Vehicle Facilities Program Stage 1 Works was approved by parliament in midJune.
A Defence Department spokeswoman said the work at Lavarack Barracks was being planned for 360 people for approximately 50 subcontractor packages over a two-year construction period.
The head contract for the works at the army base is expected to be awarded by November this year, with construction expected to begin shortly after.
The facility will help train Townsville personnel to operate the new fleet of armoured vehicles being procured by defence, and will include a “simulation centre, simulators and classrooms”.
The army is wanting to replace the current set of armoured vehicles with the next generation of infantry fighting vehicles. The ageing in-service M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers will be 60 years old by the time the planned replacement happens.
In a submission from the
Defence Department, the proj ject promises to focus on “maximising” the use of Townsville and North Queensland businesses.
The Defence spokeswoman said consultation regarding the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Facilities Program – Stage 1 was undertaken in February and March, with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works convening a hearing on the project in early May.
The project will also provide a range of infrastructure works around the country.
They will take place at three
Defence bases across Australia including the Puckapunyal Military Area in Victoria, Lavarack Barracks and the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia, with a total project value of $235 million.
Herbert MP Phillip Thompson previously told the Bulletin he would be working with Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price about procurement and tender strategies to ensure North Queensland businesses would have opportunities to secure contracts, keeping the money in the region.