Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Indeed, a key element of the agreement is upgrading the training areas near both Townsville and Rockhampton, which will potentially include the expansion of each training area. This expansion will also enable the Australian Defence Force to conduct complex training activities. Implementing this initiative will also give our servicemen and servicewomen access to better training facilities and training options, growing our own capability.

I understand that any potential expansion of the training area does interest local communities, so I am ensuring that Defence adopts a proactive and transparent process. Defence will be directly contacting landowners and will continue to conduct extensive engagement and consultation. Defence will finalise its land acquisition strategy for government consideration in 2017. In the first instance, Defence will look to purchase land on the open market. All land acquired under this initiative will be owned by the Australian government.