Rockhampton and Shoalwater Bay to benefit from millions in defence projects

Crucial defence infrastructure will undergo upgrades thanks to millions in funding for defence projects in Central Queensland. See what projects have been funded.

Central Queensland will benefit from millions in defence projects to help maintain crucial facilities for personnel of the Australian Defence Force.

Up to $24 million will be invested in the Rockhampton and Shoalwater Bay regions for four projects during the Department of Defence’s Estate Works Program.

The funding is part of a $875 million investment, budgeted by the department, for 234 projects across the country.

The projects are expected to create a number of jobs across the region, with tenders opening soon.

The projects will include works to sheds and the kitchen at the Rockhampton barracks, renewing communication and electrical infrastructure, upgrading water infrastructure, as well as maintaining and improving the Clinton Track at Shoalwater Bay.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said the project would benefit jobs and growth in Central Queensland.

“The major works will be done here in Rockhampton at the barracks, and those barracks have been here for quite a long time,” she said.

“Defence is a massive growth sector here in Central Queensland and I’ve been pushing hard to get a barracks or permanent facility here, and we see with Shoalwater Bay it’s the best military training facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

“I want to encourage as much as I can to get a permanent defence base here in Central Queensland, but this is going to be great to upgrade the existing facilities.”

The current barracks on Western Street is where defence personnel meet and stay when defence exercises come to the region.

Ms Landry said if re-elected at this year’s Federal Election, a permanent based in Central Queensland would be high on her list of priorities.

“It’s a big priority of mine, I’ve spoken to the Prime Minister about it and the Minister for Defence, the councils have put out a proposal of what they’d like to see also,” she said.

Labor candidate for Capricornia Russell Robertson said while he welcomed any investment to local facilities, he questioned the timeliness of the announcement.

“I welcome all the moneys put into any facilities required around Capricornia, but you have to start asking the question, at four days until a ballot they’ve had nine years, what’s going on,” he said.

“We’ve seen a flurry of money coming in the last 10 days, surely a good, responsible government develops a plan and executes that plan and funds these projects in a timely manner.

“What I’m concerned about is this is all announcement and no follow through.”

Mr Robertson said a Labor Government would spend at least 2 per cent of GDP on defence.

Tenders for the projects are expected to be released via AusTender in the coming months.