Veterans call to hold fire as mass SA defence properties listed in national sell-off
The RSL is pushing back against the sale of almost 70 Defence properties – including the historic Woodside barracks – saying veterans have “deep connections” to many of the historic locations. One Hills MP slammed the decision.
Veterans want the federal government to “tap the brakes” on a sale of Defence properties designed to raise money for the military and save on costs.
After mulling over a review for almost two years, Labor announced this week 67 sites will be fully or partly sold in a move described as the “largest Defence estate divestment in Australian history”.
The sale is expected to bring in $1.8 billion for the Defence budget and save taxpayers another $100 million a year in maintenance costs.
Under the plan, the 145ha Woodside Barracks would be sold, along with Edinburgh Park and Hampstead barracks for “other community uses”.
Defence also plans to partially divest the Warradale Barracks at Oaklands Park.
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RSL Australia National president Peter Tinley said the organisation was ready to work with the government which needed to “take a breath”.
“These aren’t empty paddocks on a spreadsheet, they’re places where Australians learned to soldier, where bonds of mateship were forged, and where generations prepared to defend this nation,” he said.
“The government needs to tap the brakes here. Take a breath. Because once these sites are gone, they’re gone forever.
“Veterans right across the country have deep connections to these places and they deserve more than a press conference announcement.”
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Independent Mayo MP Rebekah Sharkie slammed the decision, saying she was “angry, disappointed and frustrated that the government has decided to offload the Barracks”.
“The Adelaide Hills is already buckling under population pressure and if we were to use this site for housing, the infrastructure simply wouldn’t cope,” she said in a statement.
“Our health services, education facilities, our roads.”
She said she would meet with the government to discuss the future, options and timeline for the site.
Defence Minister Richard Marles acknowledged the plan had been opposed by some top military brass, with senior officers in the army particularly concerned.
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move was a win-win situation which would unlock land for housing development while saving taxpayers huge sums of money.
All sites earmarked for sale will be handed over in coming years to the Finance Department, which will be responsible for finding a buyer.
Government officials believe some properties will likely take years to sell.
-with AAP
