Nation’s army capital
Group addresses housing, retention to prepare for boom
A continued push to get Australia ready to defend will see Townsville transformed into the nation’s “army capital” by 2025, according to Townsville Enterprise.
Staring down the barrel of massive growth – which includes an influx of 500 extra army personnel – the advocacy group is quickly trying to prepare the city for the incoming boom by addressing housing supply and worker retention.
Townsville Enterprise chief executive Claudia BrummeSmith said the ambitious reforms outlined in the federal government’s recent Defence Strategy Review sets the region up to “fully capitalise on the opportunities”.
But in order to “fully capitalise”, immediate work needs to begin on Townsville’s tight housing supply, and long-term planning is needed to increase local workers in the engineering, aviation maintenance and research sectors.
In order to ensure these needed changes, the North Queensland Strategic Defence Working Group has been established in Townsville.
“Defence is a critical sector for Townsville,” Ms BrummeSmith said.
“It contributes over $4bn into our economy every single year and is the second largest employer in our region.
“With the region facing a critical need for increased housing supply, urgent action is already being pursued, including ongoing engagement with the Australian Defence Force and Defence Housing Australia to advocate for investment in new housing projects.”
The principal author of the Defence Strategy Review, Professor Peter Dean, will visit James Cook University on Wednesday to talk about how Townsville’s position as a “gateway to the South Pacific” makes it valuable.
“The region’s geographic location makes it critical in response to international and domestic operational requirements,” Professor Dean said.
“The 3rd brigade is undergoing significant capability and force posture enhancements as a result of the Defence Strategic Review.
“The area is home to critical capabilities, to unique and key training ranges and infrastructure and provides a platform for regional engagement and major exercises,” Professor Dean said.
“As the National Defence Strategy develops and we move to greater self-reliance, opportunities will grow for the local community and businesses in sustainment, manufacturing, and innovation – however, this will all depend on the development of a highly skilled workforce in North Queensland.”