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Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price has announced a $42.2 million overhaul for critical defence infrastructure at the Singleton Military Area, enhancing the training areas available to the Australian Defence Force.
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Local contractors in the Hunter region will receive a boost from a $42.2 million overhaul of facilities at the iconic Singleton Military Base, with construction due to start this week.
In a move that will aid the Hunter economy’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Singleton mid-term facility ‘refresh’ will improve amenities for more than 1,000 defence and civilian personnel at the base.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the project to build a new transport workshop and upgrade existing infrastructure would maximise local industry involvement in the Hunter region.
"This refresh will ensure the Singleton Military Area is able to continue to support Defence capability into the future. Lead contractor Watpac’s Local Industry Capability Plan will ensure there will be opportunities for local businesses in the Hunter region to get involved in the project," Minister Price explained.
Patron senator for the Hunter and senator for NSW Hollie Hughes attended a project briefing on Monday.
"I’m excited that this funding will provide opportunities for local small and medium-sized businesses. It’s going to mean work for a host of local contractors including carpenters, landscapers, glaziers, tilers, concreters, structural steelworkers, joiners, roofers, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers and even, demolition experts," Senator Hughes explained.
She said the government supported Watpac’s plan to target 82 per cent of its subcontract packages to Hunter businesses.
"It’s just part of our government’s commitment to maximise opportunities for local industry to participate in the delivery of Defence facilities and infrastructure projects," Senator Hughes explained.
Situated within the Hunter Valley, NSW, the Singleton Military Area (SMA) is comprised of Lone Pine Barracks and the Singleton Training Area (STA). Lone Pine Barracks is located approximately eight kilometres south of the township of Singleton.
The barracks houses the School of Infantry, Joint Logistics Unit East (Hunter Valley), the Australian Army Infantry Museum as well as Estate & Infrastructure Group SMA and other regular support services.
The STA is a 15,000 hectare firing range nestled snugly between Brokenback Range, the Hunter Vineyards, Lone Pine Barracks and the Mount Thorley Mine area.
Construction is expected to be completed by early 2022.
