Central Queensland to reap benefits of Shoalwater Bay Training Area works

Joint Media Release

• Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Melissa Price MP
• Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Member for Capricornia, The Hon Michelle Landry MP

Central Queensland is benefiting from more than $53 million in additional contracts awarded as part of construction works for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

The additional contracts, including two businesses from Rockhampton, have been awarded for major construction works to be completed under the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI) Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) Facilities Project.

Minister for Defence, the Hon Peter Dutton said the ASMTI will deliver advanced military training areas in Central and North Queensland, while meeting the future needs of the Australian Defence Force.

“The Shoalwater Bay Training Area is one of Australia’s most important training areas. Its expansion will not only deepen our Defence partnership with Singapore, but also support economic growth in the region as the economy recovers from the impacts of COVID-19,” Minister Dutton said.

“This Government is committed to maximising economic benefits for communities and enhancing opportunities for local industry in North and Central Queensland across the life of the ASMTI.”

These latest contracts bring the total number of works packages already awarded through the SWBTA Facilities Project to 65, with a combined value of more than $211 million.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price congratulated the awarded contractors.

“Major construction works to expand the Shoalwater Bay Training Area continue to provide a welcome economic boost to the region, with no shortage of opportunities to come,” Minister Price said.

“Local subcontractors have already shared in $157 million of contracts, with about 108 packages still to be awarded over the next three years.

“Clearly this level of investment from the Morrison Government is a significant win for local businesses and will support local jobs.”

Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry said the Shoalwater Bay Training Area is providing a welcome boost to the Central Queensland economy.

“Local businesses are already benefiting from this investment which will only continue with the project’s construction workforce expected to peak at 450 workers,” Ms Landry said.

“I encourage any interested local businesses in the region to access the ASMTI’s online modules and put their best foot forward to compete for upcoming opportunities.”

The Project works include the construction of urban operations training facilities, information and communication technology infrastructure, waste management and medical facilities across the expanded SWBTA.

Four subcontracts have gone to companies either located in Central Queensland, or who will deliver the majority of their work from Central Queensland including:

• $24 million awarded to locally owned and family run earthmoving and civil contracting company, Bellequip Pty Ltd for construction works;
• $81,000 awarded to Tunuba Pty Ltd – a joint venture between the Darumbal people and CQG Consulting water-filled barriers works;
• $19 million awarded to a joint venture between Allroads Pty Ltd and Amcor Quarries Pty Ltd for the completion of civil pavements and in-ground services; and
• $10.33 million awarded to Waanyi Shamrock United Pty Ltd – a partnership involving Shamrock Civil Engineering and the Waanyi Indigenous company based in North Queensland for civil works.

For more information, please visit the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative website at http://defence.gov.au/initiatives/asmti/.