March 18, 2016
Gippsland will get a large share of $329 million in funding to upgrade defence bases ahead of the new basic pilot training school coming to RAAF Base East Sale, Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says.
The Department of Defence has for the first time publicly outlined the proposed scope of the upgrades at East Sale, which will allow for all Air Force, Navy and Army basic pilot training to take place in Gippsland by 2019 onwards.
The exact amount to be spent on upgrading facilities at East Sale will be confirmed after the completion of a Public Works Committee process, which starts this week, but East Sale is expected to get a significant proportion of the total funding.
“The AIR 5428 contract means Gippsland is going to be the home of all Defence force basic pilot training into the future,” Mr Chester said.
“The proposed upgrades at RAAF Base East Sale will ensure young pilots from across Australia will have access to the best possible facilities as they embark on their pilot training course.
“Many Gippslanders are looking forward to the arrival of the 28 new PC-21 aircraft to East Sale which will be used as part of the training program. The arrival of this aircraft will new infrastructure to be built at RAAF Base East Sale.
“These upgrades are a vital component of the Air 5428 contract and underpin the Australian Defence Force’s long term commitment to Gippsland.”
Mr Chester said the multi-million dollar investment would be on top of the $185 million of redevelopment works that had recently been completed at RAAF Base East Sale.
Those works included a new Air Traffic Control tower, gym facilities, School of Air Warfare refurbishment and extension; replacement of flight-line maintenance and demountable buildings; new base chapel and a community support building.
Mr Chester said additional jobs would be created as the works were carried out, mostly in building and construction.
The Federal MP said he would lobby the Department of Defence to ensure as much work as possible was made available to Gippsland-based contractors.
The proposed scope of works will include new aircraft aprons and shelters, maintenance facilities, classrooms, working accommodation, flight simulators and information networks.
Additionally, the project will include demolition and upgrade works, where necessary, as well as landscaping and parking facilities and 105 additional accommodation units at RAAF Base East Sale.
Due to the increase in population at the base, there will be a requirement to increase provisions for base medical services and staff, and increased numbers of support services staff.
Community consultation is planned to be conducted during March and April, with the first of a series of meetings to start in Sale next week.
A public information session will be on Wednesday, March 23, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, at the Hua Room, Wellington Entertainment Centre, 100 Foster St, Sale.
As part of the consultation process, a parliamentary committee will invite submissions on the proposed upgrades until March 31, 2016.
The works at East Sale would be part of the wider project to upgrade Defence bases in preparation for the new basic pilot training contract, with improvements also to take place in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales.
The total scope of the project is $329.8 million. Work is due to start in mid-2016 and be completed by 2018.
The Air 5428 contract is expected to be worth $650 million to the local Wellington Shire economy over its lifespan.
Full details on the project are available on the committee’s website www.aph.gov.au/pwc
CAPTION: Chief of Air Force Leo Davies with Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester at RAAF Base East Sale, which is about to receive another significant upgrade ahead of the arrival of the basic pilot training school.
