Mackay in prime position for defence deals

OCTOBER 27, 2017: BUSINESSES across the north will have greater opportunities to participate in major Defence projects with tenders for redevelopment work in both Townsville and Shoalwater Bay to be called within months.Liberal National Government moves to introduce Local Industry Capability Plans would give regional businesses greater opportunities to tap into the $135 million Shoalwater Bay Training Area Redevelopment project and the $24 million Townsville Field Training Area Mid-Term Refresh project.There are big opportunities for regional businesses to tap into these multi-million dollar Defence facilities upgrades, which come on top of the $2.25 billion investment in the Australia Singapore Military Training Initiative. I have invited Defence Minister Marise Payne to visit the north to engage with local industry about the processes involved. Tenderers for these major upgrades will be required to show how they will engage local industry to deliver the work packages that underpin the projects.The plan is to conduct this local industry engagement forum before the end of the year.Minister Payne said that in addition to the Local Industry Capability Plan pilots at Townsville Field Training Area and the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Defence will also be rolling out this pilot for the Explosive Ordnance Logistics Reform Program which will cover 12 sites nationwide.“This is fundamentally about ensuring that local companies are properly considered and provided with the opportunity to compete and win work on Defence infrastructure projects,” Minister Payne said.