Defence Will Retain RAAF Base Richmond

The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson,
Minister for Defence

Defence Will Retain RAAF Base Richmond

As part of its consideration of the Defence Force Disposition Program, the Federal Government has decided to retain RAAF Base Richmond on the outskirts of Sydney.

The Prime Minister previously announced, on 27 August 1998, that RAAF Base Richmond would be retained until 2010.

Since then, the future of RAAF Base Richmond beyond 2010 has been considered with a number of other Defence bases and establishments under the Force Disposition Program. This program was established to consider proposals for base collocation aimed at creating larger, more operationally effective and cost efficient military bases around Australia.

A detailed study conducted under the Force Disposition Program demonstrated that the balance of capability, economic and current community considerations weighs heavily in favour of retaining RAAF Base Richmond.

This decision will ensure Defence's ongoing presence in the local community whilst ensuring that the critical capability provided by the RAAF's C-130 airlift fleet remains at RAAF Base Richmond.

RAAF Base Richmond remains the only secure point of departure in the Sydney basin. Its closure would have left Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra without secured air point departure for large scale operations.

Retention of RAAF Base Richmond will enable a continuation of support to Sydney-based specialised Defence Force units, in particular the Tactical Assault Group East, the 4th Battalion (Commando) Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR), and the Incident Response Regiment.

I commend the Member for Greenway, Mrs Louise Markus, and the Member for Macquarie, Mr Kerry Bartlett, who have both been tireless campaigners for the long-term future of RAAF Base Richmond.

The Government is continuing to review the studies which were conducted in relation to the remaining bases under consideration through the Force Disposition Program. These bases are Defence Establishment Berrimah in the Northern Territory, Borneo Barracks in South Queensland, and Elizabeth North Training Depot, Hampstead Barracks and Keswick Barracks, all in South Australia. No decision has been made yet in relation to these bases.

Given the size and complexity of this review of Defence basing, and the costs involved in future Defence estate planning, the Defence-prepared studies, along with other considerations, will continue to be reviewed and will be considered by the Government later this year as part of the 2008/09 Budget deliberations.

ENDS

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