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Financial Indicators: Government Administration and Defence
Government Administration and Defence in the MITEZ region contributed $895.1 million (or 6.7%) to GRP in 2006-07, an increase of 9.7% from 2005-06. In terms of employment, the sector accounted for 10.0% of total persons employed in the MITEZ region in 2006-07.
The Australian Army maintains a strong presence in Townsville, with several thousand defence personnel from both the Air force and Army and their families stationed in the city. Major units, such as the 3rd Brigade (a light infantry unit with significant air-mobile assets), 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment and the 5th Royal Aviation Regiment, are based at Lavarack Barracks and the Townsville Airport.
In addition to significant onsite personnel, the Federal and State Governments and Australian Army have continued to invest in infrastructure and building projects to further solidify the presence and effectiveness of Australias defence force in Townsville.
Federal funding of Australias defence force in the 2007-08 budget apportioned $364.4 million in defence funding from the Federal budget for the Herbert region (includes defence force units at Lavarack and Jezzine Barrack, Townsville RAAF and Ross Island) with a further $14.4 million funding for capital facilities. Particular defence facilities set to benefit from funding includes the following approved capital works:
- Townsville RAAF to receive a new Troop Lift Helicopter and facilities ($20 million);
- The redevelopment of the Jezzine Barracks in Townsville ($20 million);
- Stage 4 redevelopment of Lavarack Barracks ($207 million project); and
- Single living environment accommodation precinct phase 2 for Lavarack Barracks.
In addition to Government Administration and Defence, the Health and Community Services sector contributed $672.8 million (or 5.0%) to the MITEZ region GRP in 2006-07, representing an increase of 14.2% on the previous financial year. In terms of employment, the sector accounted for 11.0% of total employment in the MITEZ region in 2006-07.
The State Government budget of 2007-08 had the following major capital outlays for the MITEZ region:
- Expansion of the Townsville hospital ($1 million toward commencement of works);
- Redevelopment of the Murray Sports Complex and the Townsville Arts Hubs flexible performing arts theatre in Townsville ($12 million);
- Complete works on the correctional centre for women and expansion of the correctional centre for men in Townsville ($164 million);
- New police station and staff accommodation at Cloncurry ($4 million);
- Police station upgrades at Kirwan and Townsville Police Stations in Townsville ($2 million);
- New Emergency Management Queensland helicopter to be based in Townsville ($9 million);
- Complete works on the Ross River Dam upgrade for North Queensland ($15 million);
- Development of the SkillsTech specialist trade campus in Townsville ($7 million);
- Development of the Tropical Science and Innovation precinct at James Cook University in Townsville ($4 million);
- $15 million toward public housing, community, crisis, transitional and long-term housing needs for North Queensland;
- Capital upgrades and the refurbishment of the administration building at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville ($6 million);
- Skate park at Peggy Banfield Park in Townsville ($135,000);
- Townsville Ring Road ($58 million);
- Widening of North Ward Road in Townsville ($18 million);
- Widening of Herveys Range Road in Townsville ($10 million);
- Finishing construction of new power transmission line from Ross to Townsville South in Townsville ($9 million);
- Improvements at the Port of Townsville ($7 million);
- Completion of the major upgrade of multimedia initiatives at Spinifex State College in Mount Isa ($2 million);
- Improvement of water supply from the Mount Isa Terminal Reservoir Pump Station ($13 million);
- Completion of the upgrade and improvements to Mount Isa rail line ($19 million);
- Upgrade of the Flinders Highway between Charters Towers and Hughenden at Jardine Valley;
- $1 million for the Queensland Music Festival to expand its program to more regional centres, including Mount Isa; and
- Widening of the Burke Developmental Road between Cloncurry and Normanton ($9 million).
Overall the 2007-08 State Budget apportioned almost $400 million for capital works, infrastructure upgrades, and development and social programs for the MITEZ region.
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