‘Not rocket science’: Defence unclear on where hundreds of new Townsville troops will live

Hundreds of new troops will start moving into Townsville next year, and the Defence Force cannot point to a single home it has acquired since multiple troop movement announcements were made last year.

Hundreds of new troops will start moving into Townsville next year, but the Defence Force cannot point to a single home it has acquired since multiple troop movement announcements were made last year.

Private and public sector voices say the glaring question of where the new North Queenslanders will live looms large above the tight housing market.

In September the Department of Defence revealed about 800 troops would be leaving Adelaide, with 500 going incrementally to Townsville from 2025.

Darwin’s 1st Aviation Regiment and the Boeing support workers who work on the regiment’s Apache helicopters are relocating to Townsville, beginning next year as well. That was announced in July.

Months later, questions about specific actions to secure houses since the announcements have been met with generic responses from Defence and Defence Housing Australia.

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

A Defence spokesperson said the personnel movements would take place over several years, from 2025 to 2028.

“We’re not doing this tomorrow, we’re doing this over a period of time. So, we’ve got the time to get this right,” Defence Minister Richard Marles said in 2023.

Australian Army infantry troops, tanks and other armoured fire power will be relocated to the nation’s north in the biggest shake-up to the armed forces in decades, with 500 new troops to be based in Townsville.

A DHA spokesperson said the agency was committed to delivering suitable housing for Defence members and their families.

“DHA proactively works with Defence to support the evolving housing needs of the ADF.”

Defence Housing Australia has 1552 properties in Townsville and Cairns, and 1233 are occupied at the moment.

Defence told the Bulletin as of Friday more than 4700 personnel were posted to the garrison city.

Deputy Townsville mayor Mark Molachino is surprised Defence does not have firmer details on where the new troops will live.

Townsville deputy mayor Mark Molachino has more questions than answers on where the new troops will live. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“You think you would have a checksheet; ‘We’ll build sheds for the tanks, offices for the squadrons’ Where is everyone going to sleep? Are you going to have a tent city on base?”

“We need a solution. It’s just crazy stuff,” Cr Molachino said.

Family Emergency Accommodation Townsville general manager Mandy Thompson said the problem was clear.

Family Emergency Accommodation Townsville general manager Mandy Thompson. Picture: Alix Sweeney

“There’s no houses. It’s not rocket science.

“There’s a massive shortage of houses in Townsville,” Ms Thompson said.

Governments needed to focus on housing people already in the city, especially vulnerable families, she said.

Vacancy rates in 13 Townsville suburbs fell below one per cent last year.

“Let’s sort the current housing problem that’s already here,” Ms Thompson said.

Originally published as ‘Not rocket science’: Defence unclear on where hundreds of new Townsville troops will live