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The federal government and the Northern Territory government have announced the signing of an agreement to establish the Defence Accommodation Precinct Darwin at Howard Springs.
The agreement will enable the Department of Defence to use the Howard Springs facility as an accommodation precinct from July 2023. The five-year lease arrangement between the Commonwealth and Northern Territory is estimated to cost approximately $50 million per year.
Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite said, “This agreement is another step in improving the Australian Defence Force’s ability to operate from Australia’s northern bases, one of the six priority areas for immediate action identified by the Albanese government in response to the Defence Strategic Review.”
The first cohort of over 1,300 military personnel from Australia and partner nations are scheduled to arrive at the facility later this month to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre.
“The Defence Accommodation Precinct Darwin will provide a high standard of temporary accommodation for our personnel conducting operations and exercises from Darwin,” Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite added.
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Natasha Fyles expanded on these comments, welcoming the partnership between the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory governments, saying, “Repurposing the former Centre for National Resilience facility as a Defence accommodation precinct allows Defence to more readily host visiting forces and services in the Territory whilst also supporting the availability of short term, business and tourism accommodation options for use in the greater Darwin area, particularly during the peak season.”
The estimated annual cost covers all expenses in operating and maintaining the facility, including lease payments to the Northern Territory government, catering, hospitality and cleaning services, utilities, transport, security and waste disposal.
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