The Territory’s Robertson Barracks will get a $400m upgrade by the Australian Defence Force

The federal government plans to spend about $400m upgrading a key Territory military barracks. The project is expected to see 1000 jobs flow. Find out what the rebuild entails.

Robertson Barracks is in line for almost $400m in upgrades, delivering with it more than 1000 Territory jobs.

Estimated to cost $389.1m, the proposed works include engineering services upgrades to the fire water and drinking water systems and high-voltage electrical works, additional live-in quarters, linked covered walkways, a new combined sergeants and other ranks mess and an upgrade to the capacity of the officers mess.

When completed, the project will provide Robertson Barracks personnel with additional accommodation, increased dining capacity and upgraded water and electrical infrastructure.

Robertson Barracks upgrade will bring 10000 jobs to the area.

A proportion of the new accommodation will be built on the Hughes playing field.

The project aims to address the capacity of supporting infrastructure to support current and projected Defence operations, the project submission said.

Home of the Army’s 1st Brigade, Robertson Barracks also supports aviation operations such as Operation Pitch black and has a working population of about 5000 personnel made up of military and civilian staff.

The submission said upgrades were required “as the existing facilities and infrastructure are becoming limited and unsustainable”.

About $400m will be spent on Robertson Barracks.

It said Defence residential stock in the Darwin region was reaching capacity and end of life.

Solar hot water will meet 75 per cent of barracks demand and replace gas in the live-in accommodation. Heat pumps will be used for 50 per cent of the hot water for the new combined mess.

The purpose of the Robertson Barracks Base Improvements Project is to provide essential upgrades to facilities and infrastructure, an ADF spokesperson said.

Subject to parliamentary approval, project design is expected to be completed by early 2023, construction to begin by mid-2023 and project completion by mid-2026.

The submission said that if savings in the project are found additional works may be undertaken including an outdoor gymnasium, landscaping and additional engineering services.
A Defence spokesman said delays to the project caused by Covid-19 and subsequent supply chain issues had blown out costs. The NT News understands the upgrades were originally priced at about $310m.

The project is expected to be completed by early 2023.

“The purpose of the Robertson Barracks Base Improvements Project is to provide essential upgrades to facilities and infrastructure, and increase the amount of living-in accommodation,” the spokesman said.

“Subject to the project receiving parliamentary approval, anticipated by early 2023, construction is expected to commence in mid-2023 and be completed by mid-2026.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the construction industry including material price increases, supply chain issues and skilled labour shortages, particularly in the Northern Territory.

“The project has been affected by these issues, however allowances have been made throughout the design and development of the project.”

Public submissions to the Parliamentary Public Works Committee closed this week and a hearing is expected later this year or early 2023.

Originally published as The Territory’s Robertson Barracks will get a $400m upgrade by the Australian Defence Force