Supporting Regional Growth Through Defence Investment

Leveraging Defence Assets for Economic Growth and Regional Development

Priority: Increase Commonwealth investment and Defence presence to maximise the economic opportunities generated by nationally significant Defence assets.

Few communities in Australia possess Defence assets on the scale of those located within the Charters Towers Region.

Home to approximately 535,779 hectares of Defence training land, Charters Towers already plays an important role in Australia's defence capability and future readiness.

While the Region hosts one of Australia's largest Defence training environments, the economic benefits associated with that presence do not fully offset the loss of rateable land, population growth opportunities and economic activity.

Increased Commonwealth investment and a stronger Defence presence would help address this imbalance, while strengthening Australia's defence capability and regional resilience.

As Defence investment continues to grow across northern Australia, Charters Towers is uniquely positioned to support future training, logistics, infrastructure and operational requirements.

Expanded Defence operations and associated infrastructure present a significant opportunity to generate employment, attract investment, strengthen local businesses and support long-term regional growth.

A National Defence Asset

Charters Towers hosts approximately 535,779 hectares (1.3 million acres) of Defence training land, part of one of Australia's most significant military training environments, used for large-scale exercises involving Australian and international forces.

As Defence activity expands across northern Australia, Charters Towers is well positioned to support future capability needs and the investment that comes with them.

Strategic Importance to Northern Australia

Northern Australia is playing an increasingly central role in national defence strategy, with growing investment in training, logistics, infrastructure and force readiness. Charters Towers' proximity to major Defence assets in North Queensland, including the Townsville garrison, makes it a critical part of that broader network, with real opportunities to strengthen local infrastructure and services as activity grows.

Economic Opportunities for Local Businesses

Increased Defence activity flows straight into the local economy, creating opportunities across:

  • Construction and civil works
  • Transport and logistics
  • Engineering and manufacturing
  • Professional and technical services
  • Accommodation and hospitality
  • Retail and local supply chains
  • Training and workforce development
  • Aviation and aviation support services

Greater local participation in Defence supply chains would diversify the regional economy and open doors for local businesses.

Creating Jobs and Building Skills

Defence investment builds workforce capability as well as economic activity, supporting:

  • New local jobs
  • Apprenticeships and traineeships
  • Skills development
  • Industry partnerships
  • Workforce attraction and retention
  • Career pathways for young people

Stronger links between Defence, education providers and industry would build a genuine pipeline of skilled workers for the Region.

Supporting Infrastructure Investment

Realising the full benefit of Defence activity means investing in the infrastructure that supports it: transport networks, road and freight infrastructure, telecommunications, utilities, workforce accommodation, and industrial land and precincts. This kind of investment doesn't just serve Defence; it delivers lasting benefits for residents, businesses and visitors through better connectivity and stronger regional resilience.

Strengthening Regional Resilience

A robust Defence presence would help to diversify the local economy, attract private investment, grow the population, and generate ongoing employment, reinforcing Charters Towers' strategic role in northern Australia's future.

Advocacy Priority

Investment in Defence infrastructure and capability within the Charters Towers Region delivers both national and regional benefits.

Strengthening Defence activity would support Australia's strategic objectives in northern Australia while generating employment, creating business opportunities, improving infrastructure and building long-term economic resilience. Continued investment will enhance sovereign capability while helping secure Charters Towers' future as a key Defence support region.

 

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