September 23, 2016
• Work underway on building new facilities for AIR5428 pilot training school at RAAF East Sale
• All basic pilot training for Army, Navy and Air Force to take place in Gippsland
• Local companies and staff to be engaged wherever possible
More than $200 million in construction works will begin at the end of this month, building student accommodation and training facilities at RAAF Base East Sale for the AIR5428 project.
Costings have now been released in relation to new construction on base, as Sale prepares to become the home of basic pilot training for the Australian Defence Forces from 2019.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said works would begin at the end of September and take two years to complete.
Mr Chester said the development would include new hangars and maintenance workshops, classrooms and training facilities, flight simulators and live-in accommodation for 105 junior officers.
“The total value of construction works is in excess of $200 million with hundreds of construction jobs created over the two year period,” Mr Chester said.
“Laing O’Rourke has been awarded the project management tender. I have met with the project management team to reiterate the community’s expectation that local companies and local staff be engaged wherever possible.”
From 2019, basic pilot training for all army, navy and air force pilots will take place at RAAF Base East Sale under the AIR5428 contract.
The contract will provide a significant economic boost to Gippsland, bringing 150 defence jobs to East Sale. The AIR5428 contract has been estimated to deliver $15 million per year in economic activity.
“Sale and the broader Gippsland community has a long and proud association with the Australian Defence Force,” Mr Chester said.
“I look forward to working with air force personnel and the contract team to ensure that the relationship between defence and the local community continues to prosper in the future.”
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester pictured with RAAF Group Captain Mark McCallum and Jarrod Sultana from Laing O’Rourke.
