Australian Defence Force completes handover of Tiroas Barracks redevelopment with Vanuatu

Prime Minister of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas and Australian high commissioner to Vanuatu Heidi Bootle attended the handover with Australian and Vanuatu government officials on 4 March.

Attendees, including Vanuatu Police Commissioner Robson Iavro, also travelled by 35 Squadron C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft from Port Vila International Airport to Santos Island before the redevelopment opening.

The infrastructure project was delivered for Vanuatu Police Force in Port Vila and Luganville as part of the enduring security partnership between Vanuatu and Australia.

The project also endeavoured to support local industry by utilising local materials, resources and services as well as the upskilling of local works through local training institutions.

A key objective of the Cook Barracks and Tiroas Barracks redevelopment is to bolster local industry and boost commercial activity that will stimulate Vanuatu’s economy. The Cook Barracks and Tiroas Barracks redevelopment is expected to create and sustain 200 jobs for the life of the project.

“The project is being delivered by an integrated project management team comprising of Australian Army engineers from 19th Chief Engineer Works, designers from GHD, and contractors from Icon Australia and Reeves International, in close consultation with Vanuatu Police Force personnel. Vanuatu Mobile Force engineers are embedded in Icon Reeves operations on site,” according to a statement previously published by the Department of Defence.

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“Cook Barracks in Port Vila will see significant investment, including new engineer and vehicle workshops, accommodation, training facilities, fire station, chapel, and medical centre. Roads and essential services are also being upgraded to support the new facilities. Construction commenced in March 2021 and is scheduled for completion in quarter four 2023.

“Upgrades at the Tiroas Barracks in Luganville will include a new armoury and medical facilities, as well as critical infrastructure to enable the Vanuatu Government National Emergency Radio Network, a joint Vanuatu-Australia initiative to upgrade Vanuatu’s inter-island emergency network. Essential services are also being upgraded to support the new facilities. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2022 and be completed in 2023.”

Australia and Vanuatu previously signed a bilateral security agreement in 2022, aimed at fostering “peace, prosperity, resilience and safety” in the region.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.