McCORMACK WELCOMES MASSIVE ARMY AND AIR FORCE BASE UPGRADE COMMUNITY MEETINGS

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is urging as many people as possible to attend community consultation meetings in Wagga Wagga next week where massive upgrades to the Australian Army’s Blamey Barracks at Kapooka and RAAF Base Wagga at Forest Hill will be explained.

“In 2016, soon after I was appointed Assistant Minister for Defence, I secured nearly $1 billion to upgrade these two vital military bases,” Mr McCormack said.

“My aim was to future proof the bases by delivering modern facilities for the training of young men and women tasked with protecting the security of our nation.

“Some of the underlying infrastructure of Blamey Barracks and RAAF Base Wagga harks back to the 1940s when they were first opened and need to be modernised. Work will include new working, instructional and physical training facilities and accommodation.

“This massive investment will not only create hundreds jobs during construction of the new facilities, but will also ensure the bases stay open for generations to come and continue to drive economic growth in the region.

“Wagga Wagga is the only inland regional city with all three arms of the Australian Defence Force.

“Combined, they train more than 5,000 young people every year and employ more than 4 per cent of the city’s population.”

Mr McCormack said representatives of the Department of Defence’s Riverina Redevelopment Program would conduct community walk-in sessions at the Mercure Hotel, 1 Morgan Street, next Tuesday, 5 December, between 2pm and 3pm and between 5pm and 7pm. A separate information session relating to Kapooka stormwater will also be held, with registrations for that session closing today.

The program is expected to be referred to The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works before the end of the year, with work expected to start in mid to late 2024.