Williamtown redevelopment funding announced

Prime Minister Abbott at Williamtown on Wednesday.

The federal government will invest $274 million in the redevelopment of facilities at RAAF Base Williamtown, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced. The upgrade is part of the $1.2 billion investment in facilities that is being made to prepare Williamtown for the arrival of the F-35A Lightning II. Construction work is due to start in the middle of next year and will continue until mid-2021.

“Today’s announcement will provide new and refurbished office accommodation and commercial facilities,” the Prime Minister said on Wednesday.

“A number of ageing buildings which currently do not meet building, safety, environmental or security standards will be demolished. Other structures such as headquarters, operational and storage facilities will be refurbished. Engineering services for electricity, sewerage, telecommunications, fire and water will be upgraded or replaced. The base entrance will also be rebuilt as part of a major security upgrade.”