SINGLE LEAP (Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct) is a Defence project to bring living-in accommodation for single members of the Australian Defence Force, into line with community standards.

Background

The living environment provided by Defence is critical in attracting and retaining Navy, Army and Air Force personnel.

The current standard of permanent living-in arrangements is varied across Australia. Some accommodation, such as that at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville is relatively new. In other areas the accommodation was built many years ago and is in need of significant maintenance and refurbishment to bring it in line with community standards, and the expectation of Australian Defence Force personnel.

In 2003 Defence endorsed a policy (Level 5) on the standard of permanent living accommodation. Level 5 accommodation features individual, self contained rooms with:

• an ensuite
• a kitchenette
• internet and phone connections
• nearby car parking and secure storage space

In the 2004-05 Budget, the Australian Government allocated funding of $113.2m over the ensuing four-year period with a commitment to ongoing funding thereafter to remediate up to 6,400 of Defence's deteriorating LIA units.