The city of Townsville has received the good news that it has been selected as the preferred location for a new storage and maintenance facility to support the Singapore Armed Forces' training in Australia.
The northern component of the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative is being constructed at Greenvale, following the federal government's purchase of five properties in the region in late 2018.
The Department of Defence will now develop a detailed business case for the development of the facility through regional consultation and engagement with industry and the local community.
The outcomes of the business case are expected in 2022, and the facility is scheduled for completion in 2025.
Part of an overall $2.25b investment by Singapore, it will be owned by Australia and will be delivered in line with the treaty between Australia and Singapore.
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In addition to investigating a new storage and maintenance facility in Townsville, and the new training area near Greenvale, the ASMTI will also deliver advanced military training areas through the expansion of Shoalwater Bay Training Area in central Queensland.
Singapore's armed forces have been conducting training in Australia for the last 30 years and this has included a permanent presence in Rockhampton approximately 20 years.
Up to 14,000 Singapore Armed Forces will train in Queensland over 18 weeks each year when the initiative reaches maturity.
It is expected to inject around $1 billion into the Townsville region over the next 25 years.
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
