Upgrades to the Port of Townsville, defence industries and housing would increase readiness for war, leaders say
Australia is facing its most volatile strategic environment since World War Two and as the nations defence hub, improvements need to be made to Townsville’s infrastructure to better prepare it for the worst case scenario.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Future Townsville is a series launched by The Townsville Bulletin today which will explore the sector’s outlook in Queensland and showcase the economic, employment and innovation it brings to the state. The series, running over the next eight days, is supported by S. Kidman, Bravus, Port of Townsville, Aurizon, Queensland Resources Council, Sun Metals, Ark Energy and Urbis.
Australia is facing its most volatile strategic environment since World War Two and as the home to the majority of the nation’s defence capabilities, Townsville must be better prepared for worst-case scenarios.
Situated in North Queensland, Australia’s gateway to the South Pacific and close to Southeast Asia, Townsville hosts unmatched defence assets — including most of the ADF’s ground forces and armoured vehicles.
However, rising global tensions coincide with challenges in ADF retention, recruitment, housing, and modernisation.
These issues raise serious questions about Australia’s preparedness for conflict.
Federal member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson said upgrading the size of the Townsville Port to allow for larger naval ships would improve Australia’s preparedness for conflict.
With the continued growth of the 3rd Brigade’s armoured capability, larger naval ships would be needed to deploy vehicles such as Australia’s new M1A2 tanks, and the prospective huntsman self propelled howitzers and combat engineer breaching vehicles.
A large port would also allow for increased economic benefits for the region and allied partners navy vessels to dock, increasing Australia’s opportunity for multilateral training.
Head of the northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre, John Coyne said everyday a bigger port “isn’t here is a day that economic opportunity is lost” but conceited it was a complex issue and process.
“Even if you wanted to dredge part of the port today, there’s a waiting period of 12 months to get a dredge up,” he said.
“It is important for national security and it’s important to Northern Australian development.”
Mr Thompson said Townsville should be considered for an east coast nuclear submarine base.
“We should have been looking at the opportunities for AUKUS around the port,” he said.
“Townsville is perfectly placed … to be able to provide support and the maintenance.”
“There needs to be investment so we can get those jobs, get the work, but also make sure that our brave men and women are training with skilled soldiers from other countries like the US.”
A decision on the location of an east coast facility will not be made until late in this decade.
Mr Thompson also called for significant investment in defence industry infrastructure in Townsville, to match the city’s strategic importance and support economic growth.
“We should have a massive defence industry capability here in Townsville that supports all of northern Australia,” he said.
“We are the capital of northern Australia, but any defence industry opportunity goes to Brisbane or Sydney or Canberra, we need and should have that investment here, but that’s government and private investment.
“We need buy-in from these industries to build those facilities, to have the support from the government that would have long-term benefits, both economically for our region as well as growing our numbers here.”
Despite Townsville’s growing importance, housing shortages are undermining ADF readiness and morale.
The issue has worsened as more personnel move north under the Defence Strategic Review (DSR).
In February of this year soldiers were evicted from barracks accommodation en masse as new march-ins were forced to sleep in guard rooms when defence were unable to provide them with housing.
Prior to the enactment of the DSR, the census in 2021 found around 5,500 active defence members lived in Townsville.
The deputy prime minister and minister for defence, Richard Marles, said Townsville’s military presence will continue to increase.
“Current personnel located in Townsville are the result of deliberate force structure and disposition planning and reflect the locational, industrial and infrastructure benefits the city offers to Defence,” he said.
“Today, the Australian Army is shifting to a focused force structure, featuring combat brigades with defined roles, and relocating some capabilities to the north of Australia.
“As a result, the number of ADF personnel in Townsville is planned to increase, driven by increases to armoured vehicles to the 3rd Brigade and attack helicopters to the 16th Brigade, and the maintenance and support elements they require.”
As global threats escalate and Townsville’s strategic role expands, urgent investment in infrastructure, housing, and defence industry is essential to ensure Australia’s front line is fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
Originally published as Upgrades to the Port of Townsville, defence industries and housing would increase readiness for war, leaders say
Property petrol bombed after slur sends drunk dad over edge
A Qld mechanic had already been subjected to calls to his work making depraved claims when one comment led to a dangerous drunken decision.
Leahy defends troubled council
Local Government Minister Ann Leahy said she wished the Crime and Corruption Commission would resolve wrongdoing claims against suspended Townsville mayor Troy Thompson, as she defended the council.