By
Michael Weaver
 |
|
A
ceremony was held to mark the switch from HMAS Coonawarra
to Defence Establishment Berrimah.
|
|
Photo:
LCPL Neil Ruskin
|
Darwin’s
long-serving naval base HMAS Coonawarra is getting her sea legs
after moving one step closer to the sea on December 1.
The Australian White Ensign was lowered for the last time to mark
the leap of faith, with HMAS Coonawarra moving to the Darwin Naval
Base (DNB) at Larrakeyah and the base being renamed Defence Establishment
Berrimah.
After 64 years at the Berrimah site, the move reflects a change
in the centre of gravity of naval operations to the Darwin Naval
Base in preparation for the arrival of eight new Armidale Class
patrol boats at DNB from mid-2005.
“The change does not mean that the Navy is downsizing in
Darwin,” the CO of Coonawarra, CMDR Gordon Andrew said.
He added that HMAS Coonawarra will continue to deliver operational
capability through the DNB site and also with the Navy fuel installation
site adjacent to Stokes Hill Wharf.
The original main base at Berrimah has been transferred to the
Corporate Services and Infrastructure Group, due mainly to Navy’s
automation of its communication elements and the fact that of
the 120 Defence staff working there, nearly all are civilians.
CMDR Andrew said Navy plans to retain its current strength in
the north of more than 540 personnel within an overall Defence
population of 6500 in Darwin.
