Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced more than 900 new high quality apartments will be built in Darwin for single Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in the next two years.
The announcement is part of a $4 billion contract to build 3,000 new apartments at 14 defence bases across Australia.
The Australian Labor Government is investing in the Northern Territory to provide the new, high quality accommodation for our defence personnel.
Northern Territory based company, Sitzler Pty Ltd, has been appointed to build more than 230 apartments at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin and more than 680 apartments at Robertson Barracks in Palmerston.
This is a further step in fulfilling the Australian Government's 2010 election commitment to improve Defence housing.
It will also help further relieve pressure on the Darwin housing market.
This accommodation will be a great asset for our Defence bases and ultimately to our Defence Force.
The new housing will provide hundreds of Australian service men and women with a place to call home.
It will also provide a boost to the construction industry in the Northern Territory with many new employment job opportunities.
An additional 100 jobs, including sub contractors and permanent staff, will be provided through this project.
Construction starts on the 1st of September at Robertson Barracks and in November at Larrakeyah Barracks, with both projects to be completed in early 2013.
The new contract will see work commence on Phase 2 of Project Single Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct (Single LEAP).