EARLY works are commencing on a new military training area near Greenvale.
The first major contact for the northern component of the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative was awarded to a Charters Towers business last year, sparking hopes that more jobs will be created in the town as the project progresses.
Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor Liz Schmidt said the $750,000 contract was awarded to a local business to provide fencing and signage for the project.
The Singapore government is investing $2.25 billion in the initiative across two locations, in Greenvale and to expand the Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton. About $1 billion of that will be spent in the Townsville area.
The Australian Government bought out five properties in the Greenvale area to make way for the development, with contracts finalised last year.
The graziers have since been able to lease the land back from the government, ahead of their permanent removal from the land which is expected next year.
Cr Schmidt said the Australian Defence Force had given a commitment to prioritise businesses in her council area for construction works where possible, and she was pleased that they had followed through on the promise.
"It is what we were promised, and given we're the local government area negatively effected by the lack of rates, it was good to see them follow through.
"In my conversations with defence, there will be more to come and any opportunities will come to us first and foremost if we can meet the requirements."
It comes as a new program manager takes the reigns over the project, following the departure of Brigadier Mark Brewer, who facilitated negotiations with property owners over land aquisitions.
Cr Schmidt said she had yet to meet with the new manager, Commodore Jonathan Earley, but expected to in coming weeks.
Cdre Earley acknowledged the landholders, neighbours, traditional owners, local communities, businesses and councils who continued to work with defence on the initiative.
"Continuation of the rollout of work packages to progress construction at SWBTA and near Greenvale, with an ongoing focus on sourcing work from local Central and North Queensland businesses, remains a priority, as will regular community and industry engagement sessions in Central and North Queensland to keep you informed of progress and future work opportunities," Cdre Earley said.
"There is no doubt the success of this Initiative hinges on us working together from a position of trust and respect.
"Successful and effective communication will remain my fundamental priority to support this effort and my team stands ready to listen and respond to your concerns and issues."
Once completed, up to 14,000 Singapore Armed Forces personnel will conduct training in Central and North Queensland over 18 weeks each year.