Townsville mayor blasts Army shake-up over housing crisis

Townsville’s business community has lauded the $800 million economic boost the Army’s restructure will bring as 500 new troops and their families move in — but serious questions are being raised over where they’ll live.

The Australian Defence Force is planning to move 500 troops to Townsville without a solid housing plan as the region battles with extremely low housing availability.

The troops will move from Adelaide and Darwin during the course of six years from 2025, as part of a major shuffle announced late Wednesday.

But with a housing crisis and sky-high insurance premiums in Townsville, the move raises serious questions about housing personnel, their partners and children according to city leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles was in Townsville on Thursday, and said the government was mindful of the issue.

Commander 3rd Brigade Dave McCammon and Acting chief of Army Major General Richard Vagg with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (centre) at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Deputy PM repeatedly said his department had time to work out the details of how the housing market would accommodate the influx.

Mr Marles and acting chief of Army Major General Richard Vagg were unable to say how many family members they projected would come along with 500 troops.

“We’re very mindful of the challenges that need to be addressed here, of the additions to housing stock, but we do have the time to get this right,” Mr Marles said.

As seen in April 2023, a vacant Defence Housing Australia home in the Townsville suburb of Aitkenvale.

“It’s not as though all those people are here tomorrow.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith said that for every person who will move to Townsville due to this strategic review, an average additional 1.4 family members will accompany them.

“This means a population boost of over 1200 new residents for Townsville,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.

“This population boost will contribute in excess of $800M in economic output each year for the region and on top of the 500 new defence personnel, will support an additional 1400 jobs across supporting sectors and industries.

“This outcome will cement Townsville as the critical base for Australia’s military and is something that Townsville Enterprise has been strongly advocating for.

“Population growth of this scale will require investment into infrastructure that supports the region’s liveability. Housing stock, especially for defence housing, will need to be increased to ensure that locals and those who relocate are not being crowded out of the market.”

Townsville mayor Jenny Hill said there had been no consultation yet on where the soldiers would be housed.

“What we need, particularly from Defence Housing (Australia) is a plan.”

The mayor had a message for the federal government: “Come and meet with me, because sure as hell Defence Housing isn’t working. They don’t seem to have a plan for North Queensland.”

Mayor Jenny Hill has raised serious concerns about where an influx of new troops will live.

Dozens of DHA houses across Townsville are empty because of minor faults or a lack of maintenance.

“They need to show us what the hell their plan is … get your friggin’ act together” Cr Hill said.

The mayor added that while there were issues to iron out, there was plenty of land for housing.

“We want the troops. We want the economic activity they bring, the population they bring, but we need the support services,” Cr Hill said.

She’s asked for clarity on how many troops were expected to bring families, and how the ADF would help with infrastructure costs.

Cr Hill called for a co-ordinated effort with defence industries so the council could set aside land for growth.

When asked about the mayor’s claim the council wasn’t consulted, Mr Marles said state and territory governments were consulted, and the department would work with state, territory and local governments as the changes came into effect.

Herbert MP Phil Thompson wrote to Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlewaite, who is responsible for DHA, on Thursday.

Townsville’s 3rd Brigade will become an armoured combat brigade under changes announced this week. Picture: Blair Jackson.

Mr Thompson suggested the agency immediately work with local developers to build houses.

DHA relied on already established housing stock, which was in “very short supply”, Mr Thompson said.

The Army shake-up has its roots in about 850 personnel departing Adelaide; they will go to Darwin, Brisbane and the majority to Townsville.

Townsville’s 3rd Brigade will become an armoured combat brigade. Army’s Attack Apache helicopters and medium lift Chinooks will be consolidated in the city.

American Blackhawk and Apache helicopters from the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) are seen lined up at the Townsville airport as part of exercise 'Talisman Sabre 23' on July 27, 2023. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

It had already been announced that the 1st Aviation Regiment was moving from Darwin to Townsville.

All these changes have been driven by the Defence Strategic Review, released earlier this year.

The review found the Army was no longer fit for purpose under its current structure and would not be equipped to meet new strategic challenges.

Earlier this week, DHA told the Townsville Bulletin it maintained a significant portfolio of housing in the Townsville area.

This come after issues with severe housing shortages were raised while research showed rent had increased in Townsville by 10 per cent.

“DHA has a proud history of supporting Defence personnel in Townsville and it takes its responsibility to the region seriously,” a spokesman said.

The department did not determine rental market prices and was focused on the needs of Defence Force members, the spokesman said.

Originally published as Townsville mayor blasts Army shake-up over housing crisis