Contractors working on the $14.4 million health facility at the Bandiana military area had a high-ranking visitor this week in Defence Assistant Minister David Fawcett.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The senator was in the region on Tuesday to talk to military officials and business about the project, before meeting with the Liberals' Indi candidate Steve Martin on Wednesday.
He said the health facility was important to look after new and experienced soldiers dealing with a range of physical and mental health issues.
"They have their normal heath needs, but also with the physical demands of defence training, we provide everything that they need from general practitioners through to allied health professions," Senator Fawcett said.
"Many young people, when they come into Defence, it is the first environment many have faced where they're expected to perform to quite rigorous standards in a very consistent way.
"Many of them struggle to adapt to that, so resilience training is important."
Multiple tenders were received, but it was awarded to Albury-based Joss Construction.
Mr Martin said it was important the construction work added to the 2750 direct and indirect jobs that come out of Wodonga's Defence facilities.
"These projects are really important in their local areas - 100 per cent of the work that's being done on this contract is being done by local contractors," he said.
"That builds capacity, it builds work, it builds local jobs."
The new health facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2019 and the old site demolished by the end of 2020.
"What you'll see is a modern building, unlike many of the other facilities at defence bases, which are quite dated," Senator Fawcett said.
"We are very committed to this area.
"The Albury-Wodonga military area is a significant capability for Defence and we are committed to refurbishing the facilities here."
The Albury-Wodonga military area is a significant capability for Defence and we are committed to refurbishing the facilities.
- Senator David Fawcett
In September, First Assistant Secretary Infrastructure Chris Birrer said a human health risk assessment for the area in relation to PFAS would be released in the first quarter of 2019, but Senator Fawcett said yesterday that 'that work is underway" and did not specify a new deadline.
"The good news is there's been no impact on things like drinking water in the area so there's been no health impact for the local community," he said.
He also supported Mr Martin's election bid, speaking as some who also has an engineering background.
"I think the Parliament needs more engineers and less lawyers, so I'm hoping that Steve does get in," Senator Fawcett said.
MORE FEDERAL ELECTION COVERAGE:
Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here