Cairns to upgrade living

Defence personnel based at HMAS Cairns and the local community, will benefit from an $873,000 upgrade of the Northern Heritage live-in accommodation, two Federal MPs said recently.

The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Danna Vale and Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, told of the upgrade.

During a visit to Cairns, Minister Vale said the upgrade formed part of the $100m allocated in the 2002/3 Federal budget for initiatives aimed at improving conditions for Defence personnel and their families.

“The 30-year-old hotel was purchased by the Navy in 1988 for single live-in accommodation for officers and senior sailors posted to HMAS Cairns,” Minister Vale said.

“The upgrade will see built-in furniture replaced, refurbishment of all bedrooms with new carpets, new blinds and paintwork.

“Bathrooms and kitchenettes will be upgraded,” Minister Vale said.

She said work on the top floor of the three storey building began in January and is expected to be finished by the end of this month.

The 49 rooms are principally bed-sitting rooms with en-suite bathrooms and three one-room flats.
Minister Vale said, “the Government recognises that people are Defence’s greatest asset and that we need to provide conditions which will attract and retain people with the right skills.

“Providing high quality accommodation is essential if we are to keep valued members of the ADF,” the Minister said.
Mr Entsch said the upgrade will not only benefit the Defence people it will help local businesses by providing work and materiel needs.

“The great majority of this work is being done through local tradesmen and suppliers through the principal contractors, Far North Queensland Building Contractors Pty Ltd.

“As a result this work will inject a large proportion of the $873,000 into the Cairns economy.

“Defence is a major part of our local community, providing for direct and indirect investment and jobs,” Mr Entsch said.

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