The operations and development of Albury and Wodonga’s army bases are such a secret, even the councils are kept in the dark on what is happening within their own boundaries.
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Mayors Kevin Mack and Anna Speedie used their appearance at a federal government inquiry in Wodonga on Tuesday to call on the defence force to start trusting them with information.
The inquiry into the impact of defence training activities and facilities on rural and regional communities heard major developments on the Border in recent years had been revealed to the councils at the same time as the public.
“There is a definite and distinct separation and I think there’s opportunity to see more of that integration within our community,” Cr Speedie said.
“If we don’t work more collaboratively and more collectively then how can we support appropriately our army personnel and that growth, so they can access those schools and services?”
The mayors praised the presence of the army in the region, which has resulted in $950 million flow on from personnel moving to the region, and jobs for 400 private contractors such as plumbers and electricians.
But Cr Mack said even Joss construction workers were sworn to secrecy when conducting major works.
“The tradesmen can be trusted, but the mayors and general managers of councils can’t be trusted?” he said.
“If we aren’t able to tell our community with a level of surety that this is what’s happening, and be on the same page with the defence or government, then how can we spread a positive message about development, about opportunity and certainly about the jobs we hold?”
Cr Mack said the protocols were hard to change because the threat of terrorism remained.
“Being a policeman of 40 years, I get that,” he said.
“Since the 9/11 incident, defence forces across the world have spent a lot of time shoring up their bases and providing a level of security to their communities and I think sometimes, in terms of the insular nature of their job, it has been to their detriment.”
The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee was using the inquiry to look into possible solutions for the issues faced by regional communities.
Senator Bridget McKenzie said it was important army bases grew economic opportunities for small business and improved relationships.
“It’s not their core business - their business is to fight and keep people safe - but I think it’s important for all sides of politics to highlight that there is wider benefits, particularly to rural and regional communities where the impact is probably proportionally higher for our small businesses,” she said.
Economic benefits of barracks not clear
Finding out exactly how financially important an army base is to a regional community is not a priority for the Australian Department of Defence.
Four key figures appearing before Tuesday’s federal inquiry were quizzed by senators about the economic benefit the Bandiana army barracks provides to the Border and how many contracts were awarded to nearby businesses.
But they did not have many answers on hand.
Army general logistics director Brigadier Cameron Purdey could only say Bandiana’s overall maintenance contract was worth $45 million and workers from the Border were employed to do the work.
He hit back at a suggestion by Regional Development Australia’s Hume branch that it is hard to get in contact with key army figures, but conceded they could find ways to improve communication.
“How hard have you really tried to interact with a commandant who is clearly engaged with the local community, if he has a link into the mayor and the council? How come that information isn’t finding its way to the RDA?” Brigadier Purdey said.
“There are ways we can do it better and I think the final report might say there are ways we can strengthen direct links with RDA because that will give a better link with business.”
Committee chair Senator Alex Gallagher accepted that measuring economic benefits was not a priority for defence personnel, but asked them to provide the committee with specific figures on contracts.
“What we’re trying to do is say ‘is there an economic spend of that money in this region?’ and give ourselves a pat on the back because we’re sustaining hundreds of local jobs and local businesses,” he said.