Community invited to hearing on RAFF upgrade
27-January-2012
Darren Chester MP -
A public hearing on the proposed $185 million upgrade at the East Sale RAAF Base will be held in Sale next week.
The public hearing is a result of the Public Works Committee inquiry into the Department of Defence’s proposal to redevelop the primary officer training base. The Department is seeking approval from the Committee to proceed with redeveloping East Sale.
The hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 31 from 12:30pm to 2pm at the Wellington Shire Council offices, Foster St, Sale.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who is a strong supporter of the project, will give evidence to the Parliamentary committee on the importance of supporting local industry.
“This project can help to stimulate the local economy over the next three years and it’s important that the community’s support for this expansion is registered and noted by those who will make the final decisions,” Mr Chester said.
“Before Christmas I received a briefing from the Department of Defence and received assurances that there will be opportunities for local tradespeople to undertake works on the base once the project is approved.
“The East Sale RAAF Base already provides a vital role as both a defence facility and a major employer, underpinning our local economy.”
Mr Chester said Theiss Australia had been appointed as the managing contractor for the proposed upgrade.
Theiss was also managing contractor of the recent RAAF College project at the East Sale Base, which utilised local businesses for around 60 per cent of the work.
Mr Chester said the proposed redevelopment would cement the East Sale base’s position as a key strategic asset for the Australian Defence Force.
“East Sale is the primary officer training base for the RAAF and there is strong support in our community for further expansion of its role past the current proposed redevelopment,” Mr Chester said.
“I will be working with Local, State and Federal Government authorities to promote the East Sale facility as an ideal location for further development.”
Full details of the proposed redevelopment are available on the Committee’s website www.aph.gov.au/pwc