The establishment of a major army presence at the Edinburgh RAAF base in South Australia has been tipped to have a significant economic impact on Adelaide.

The Australian Army is setting up its Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) facility at Edinburgh, 30km north of Adelaide, with a capital budget of $623 million, most of which will be expended through construction contracts let locally.

Elements of the facility will also be located at the Murray Bridge site approximately 77 km southeast of Edinburgh.

Nick Jojkity, national project management director of Davis Langdon, said the project would see the establishment of an army base for approximately 1200 army personnel comprising new army working accommodation, fuel storage, training and support facilities within the existing RAAF Base.

The new work also includes administrative facilities, a large mess facility, a gymnasium, 50m pool, upgraded ovals and sporting facilities and new state-of-the-art health facilities.

It will also incorporate a high-tech combat simulation facility networked with other simulation centres around Australia.

“This initiative will see the establishment of a mechanised battalion group at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct as a cost effective location that is readily accessible to training areas, strategic transport and Defence industry,” said Mr Jojkity.

“This is a major project by the Australian Army to establish the 7th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (mechanised infantry) with artillery, engineer and combat services support units, plus base infrastructure to meet both Army and RAAF requirements at Edinburgh Defence Precinct.

“The direct Defence spending in the area will have a massive flow-on effect to local businesses, jobs and property, and the location of a 1200 strong Army base will provide a significant boost Adelaide itself.

”It will have a positive economic impact on the community, generating significant employment during the construction phase through on-site labour, construction materials fabrication and supply.

“Works will be delivered by a number of head contractors, with local building sub-contractors expected to be employed on a large proportion of the construction works.

The relocation of 1,200 Army personnel plus their families to Adelaide will generate significant long term economic benefits to the community by increasing local spending on goods and services and by attracting Defence industry to the local area.

As project managers, Davis Langdon working with Sinclair Knight Merz as sub-consultants providing half of the Project Management/Contract Administration services will oversee the safety, timing, budget and quality of the construction of the new base and have established a specialist team in Adelaide to handle the work.

Mr Jojkity considered the scale of project was highlighted by the fact that the HNA facility project represents the largest infrastructure project management consultancy ever awarded by Defence to date.

Construction work is planned to begin in December this year and will be completed is stages with the first stage being complete in late 2010.

The project has been carefully planned to allow for long term expansion of buildings, facilities and base infrastructure, and will be capable of handling any future personnel relocations.

For further information, contact Meaghan Jones on +61 3 9933 8800 or email mjones2@davislangdon.com.au