Businesses wanted for defence project

EARLY works contracts for a multibillion-dollar defence deal are up for grabs for North Queensland businesses.

The $2.25 billion Australia Singapore Military Training Initiative will see an estimated $36.2 million spent in Townsville every year throughout its life, and will involve about 14,000 Singaporean soldiers training for 14 weeks a year for 25 years.

A new military training area is being developed in Greenvale, and the existing Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton is being expanded.

The contract for the managing contractor alone is worth up to $800 million.

It includes the planning and construction of buildings and infrastructure for the Greenvale training area. The invitation to register interest for the major contract closed last week.

Business and community liaison officer Mick Reilly said the managing contractor would oversee the design and development, including roads and training villages similar to Line Creek Junction, a “town” which is an urban training complex at the Townsville Field Training Area at Herveys Range.

“This is a positive lifeline for North Queensland including Townsville and Charters Towers for the next seven years. It will be looked upon more favourably by defence if the businesses are in the locality of the ranges,” he said.

“It is a good pipeline through until 2028, for a range of companies to be involved in this project.”

It is expected that the announcement of the winning contractor will be made in the third quarter of this year.

Laing O’rourke was awarded the $800 million managing contract for Shoalwater Bay.

Mr Reilly also urged local businesses to submit a capability statement to defence by the end of May to help develop a profile about the company and its size.

Early works between 2020 and 2022 will be delivered by “medium works” contractors and will see the removal of any unnecessary infrastructure such as sheds, dams, bores and buildings. Basic track construction and repairs will be completed during this period.

The main works between 2022 and 2027 will be delivered by the managing contractor which will include civil works, medical facilities, range control and airfield construction.

To download the capability statement template go to www.defence.gov.au.