Minister for Defence and Senator Ian MacDonald - Defence strengthens opportunities for Townsville businesses

Local industry will have more opportunities to benefit from Defence infrastructure projects as part of the Turnbull Government’s expanded Local Industry Capability Plan pilot program announced by Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Senator for Queensland Ian Macdonald today.
 
Minister Payne said the pilot program will be expanded to include the and $67 million RAAF Base Townsville and $22 million HMAS Cairns Mid Term Refresh projects. The Turnbull Government’s Local Industry Capability Plan will require tenderers bidding for major capital facilities projects to detail how they have engaged with local industry in providing their tendered solution, and how local industry will support delivery of the project.
 
“This program is fundamentally about ensuring that local companies in the vicinity of our Defence bases, facilities and training areas are properly considered and provided the opportunity to compete and win work,” Minister Payne said.
 
“As part of the Government’s 2016 Defence White Paper we are upgrading defence infrastructure around Australia and this program will ensures local businesses are properly considered.”
 
Representatives from local firms attended a forum at Townsville RSL today to discuss how they could benefit from the Government’s investment in local defence facilities.
 
Senator Macdonald said the inclusion of the Local Industry Capability Plan was a win for industry in the Townsville and Cairns regions.  
 
“Using local industry in these projects delivers significant benefits to local communities and ensures there is industry capacity to support Defence in the long-term,” Senator Macdonald said.
 
“Along with Australia Singapore Military Training Initiative, this investment will boost local jobs and investment."
 
Today’s announcement expands on the previously announced pilot programs announced in August:

• The Explosive Ordnance Logistics Reform Program (EOLRP) valued at around $230 million and covering 12 Defence sites, including the Explosive Ordnance Depot at the Mount Stuart Training Area, Townsville
• A substantial infrastructure upgrade to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area valued at around $135 million
• The Townsville Field Training Area Mid-Term Refresh, valued at around $24 million.  The project will ensure the training area is fit for purpose, safe and environmentally compliant.