With armoured vehicles powering up Hervey’s Range, Black Hawks hovering out past Cape Cleveland, and combat aircrafts circling over Magnetic Island, Townsville’s significant military presence is a unique component of the region’s makeup. Housing two of three Australian Defence Force major units, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), our ‘normal’ is actually something quite special that few communities experience in their day-to-day lives. Townsville’s ‘garrison city’ title is a badge of honour our community has worn with pride for generations, however the true extent of the impact this industry has on our region may not be fully realised.

There’s no denying the challenge of trying to explain the significance of the Australian Defence Force in 800 words. We’re talking about an organisation dedicated to protecting our country and our way of life. Each day, Australian men and women are putting their lives on the line, making extreme sacrifices that most of us will never fully comprehend. These men and women aren’t just those serving on the front line, but performing in roles that contribute to the activities and initiatives that ensures our quality of life. They are also working within an industry that has an enormous impact on not only the country’s economy, but one that is an integral component of our local economy right here in Townsville.

You’d be hard pressed to find someone in your workplace who doesn’t have a family member, friend or neighbour involved in the local Defence industry. It’s estimated that approximately 7,500 service men and women are based in Townsville, with overall Defence personnel and their dependents constituting approximately 15,000 people or 8% of Townsville’s population. There is also a high number of ex-Defence personnel who have chosen to remain in Townsville and make up a significant and influential component of the community.

Defence has long been one of the key contributors to Townsville’s growth and economic diversity for decades. Within this context, development of Townsville’s Defence role can only have a positive effect on the broader region. In the past 12 months, the Defence industry in Townsville North Queensland has grown by 54.12% contributing an additional $589 million to our local economy, totalling a staggering $1.67 billion economic injection into our region. This not only includes wages and salaries, but expenditure flowing into our local retail, hospitality, tourism and events, transport, automotive sectors and more.

North Queensland must consider its future role in building capacity supportive of Defence operations across northern Australia, with the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI) and Defence identified as a key development priority under Townsville’s City Deal.

“Townsville’s ‘garrison city’ title is a badge of honour our community has worn with pride for generations.”

Townsville is a valuable asset for Australia’s Defence Force capability that must continue to be recognised and strengthened, which is why local Defence projects and policies are key inclusions in Townsville Enterprise’s recently released 2018 State and Federal Budget Submissions. In support of the ‘Defence Hub’ agenda defined under Townsville’s City Deal, Townsville Enterprise is seeking the State Government’s support in ensuring Townsville continues to play a significant role in the Australian Defence landscape. A number of recommendations have been put to the State Government to establish Townsville as ‘Australia’s Northern Defence Deep Maintenance, Sustainment and Logistics Hub’.

The Federal Government Budget Submission also includes a recommendation for the Commonwealth to establish Townsville as the epicentre of the ADF’s new amphibious warfare capability. Due to Townsville’s Port infrastructure, connection with supporting ADF units (Army & RAAF) and proximity to international neighbours, it would be a strategic move to establish a significant Navy presence in the region.

Last month it was announced that Rheinmetall Defence Australia won Phase 2 of the Land 400 contract to manufacture the next generation of Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles to the Australian Army. While 211 vehicles will be built in Brisbane, one-third of them will be based in Townsville, requiring additional infrastructure and services towards vehicle maintenance, creating jobs in our region. This will underpin Townsville’s agenda of establishing itself as the hub for deep maintenance, logistics and sustainment for the ADF in Northern Australia.

Defence investments within the Townsville region provide tangible benefits to not only industry, but the whole community. Among these are community support and lifestyle satisfaction, which are increasingly vital factors in the attraction and retention of Defence Force personnel. In this sense, the relationship of Defence and regional economic development is not merely a choice between competing priorities, but rather complementing. Through the sharing of skills, the partnership between Townsville’s Defence Force, local industries and the community will deliver continued economic outcomes.

The incredible contribution the Defence sector makes to our region’s economy and the thousands of jobs and households it supports, both directly and indirectly, is incredibly valued amongst our community. The growth of a strong Defence industry in North Queensland would prove a significant regional job creator for generations to come, benefiting not only transitioning and ex-military personnel but also providing opportunities for the broader community, local business and neighbouring regions. So next time you hear the chinooks propelling overhead or see a uniformed officer in the supermarket, take a moment to reflect upon this local industry’s reach and the privilege of living in a garrison city.

Visit townsvilleenterprise.com.au to view the Townsville Enterprise 2018 State and Federal Budget Submissions in full.