OPERATION TOWNSVILLE

CITY SETS SIGHTS ON NEW DEFENCE BASE

TOWNSVILLE politicians are pushing for the city to become the home of a new military base as part of a $270 billion investment into Australia’s national security over the next decade.

A base will be built in Northern Australia to “consolidate all army watercraft, enhancing amphibious ship-loading capacity, and allowing the docking of patrol vessels and minehunters”.

The Defence Department did not confirm where the new base will be established, and said there weren’t any current plans to move the army’s only specialist pre-landing force unit 2RAR (Amphib) from Townsville, which has more than 6000 defence force personnel posted to it.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison released the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan yesterday, unveiling the nation’s investment in $800 million longrange missiles, up to $9.3 billion in developing hypersonic weapons, and the recruitment of another 800 personnel.

“Townsville is perfectly located to be at the forefront of the Australian Government’s plan to prioritise the Indo-pacific as outlined in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update,” Senator Susan Mcdonald said.

“Any opportunities for Townsville and the greater North to expand Australia’s defence capability has my full support and I’ll be liaising with my colleagues in Canberra and Herbert MP Phil Thompson to push this region’s suitability for more Defence personnel to be stationed here.

The Government will spend $3 billion in Queensland over the next decade, including redevelopments of Lavarack Barracks, RAAF Base Townsville and the Townsville Field Training Area.

Herbert MP Phil Thompson said the city held a number of “strategic assets” important to the defence of our country and would be bolstered by the addition of new capabilities.

“Any new infrastructure to me makes sense to be located in Townsville, as we have the largest military base in the nation,” he said.

“I will advocate for that to happen and look forward to working with the ministers on this proposed new base.”

Mayor Jenny Hill said the council would release its defence strategy for the region, which aimed to deliver positive outcomes for the community and meet Defence’s requirements.

“There’s no doubt that Townsville is well placed to be the amphibious hub. In the past it was the mounting base for operations in the Pacific as part of the defence contingent that’s here in North Queensland,” she said.

“We don’t know as yet what impact there will be, if any, on defence operations here in Townsville, however it would be beneficial to see some of the jobs and economic benefits flow into the regions, as well as an increase in personnel here.”

TOWNSVILLE IS PERFECTLY LOCATED TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO PRIORITISE THE INDO-PACIFIC AS OUTLINED IN THE 2020 DEFENCE STRATEGIC UPDATE

SENATOR SUSAN MCDONALD