Australian Army depot, facilities being built at Chinderah in Tweed Shire

Indigenous-owned Tweed companies are set to start work on a new Australian Army depot and facilities at Chinderah. Here’s the latest.

Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite and Richmond MP Justine Elliot. Picture: Facebook.

Tweed Indigenous companies are set to start work on a new Australian Army depot and facilities at Chinderah.

DDR Pty Ltd, which has 51 per cent First Nations ownership, has secured a $12.71 million contract for construction.

Jabin Project Management, a wholly Indigenous-owned company, will provide support to DDR throughout the construction process

Richmond MP Justine Elliot and Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite.

The facilities will be used by the Army’s A Company, 41st Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment and 225 Army Cadet Unit.

Work is set to include a multi-user depot with storage, parking, and associated infrastructure. The Training Ship Vampire, a facility the Royal Australian Navy Cadets use, will also be refurbished.

Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said: “It’s great to see us reach this important milestone as we break ground for the new multi-user facilities we’re building for the Australian Army.”

“We continue to evolve the Defence estate to provide modern facilities across Australia for our personnel to work, train and live in,” he said.

“I’m proud to see the government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy in action.

Plans for the Army facilities. Picture: Facebook.

“There are two Indigenous-owned businesses leading the construction work and the project management and contract administration.

“The project is creating local job opportunities in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, aiming for 85 per cent local contractor engagement.”

Richmond MP Justine Elliot turned the sod on the new depot with Mr Thistlethwaite on Monday.

“This marks the start of construction of new facilities and a permanent home for the Australian Army right here in Chinderah,” she said.

“Building this new facility helps with our flood preparedness and creates more local jobs.

“It’s a win-win for everyone and I’m proud Labor is delivering it.”

The developments and upgrades will “go a long way in Lismore particularly following their (the Army’s) significant efforts in Operation Flood Assist and recovery efforts”.