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

This is a very important aspect of Defence's engagement which began with community groups and stakeholders in October, and we will continue to strengthen these important relationships over the coming weeks, months and years ahead. A community liaison officer will be appointed and based locally in Queensland to provide businesses and the community with a local contact as the initiative progresses.

The scale of investment by Singapore in our defence training areas is substantial. We heard Prime Minister Lee say that he wants it to be state of the art. The detailed business planning for facilities development will occur early in 2017, concurrent with a master planning activity for both sites. That will include a socioeconomic study and environmental impact assessments. Defence will provide an initial business case to government in 2017 on the upgrades, and construction will commence in 2019.

We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to implement this very important initiative that will have significant long-term benefits for the ADF, the Singapore Armed Forces and the people of Central and North Queensland.