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Amberley is top class
By Andrew Stackpool
Volume 49, No. 12, July 12, 2007 |
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INSIGHT: Prime Minister John Howard checks out the cockpit of a C-17 with 36SQN pilot FLTLT Brent Taylor
Photo by LAC Scott Woodward |
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Inset: CPL Lane Hamilton and AC Sarah Searle from Joint Logistics Unit (South Queensland) meet the PM at the Officers’ Mess during his visit to RAAF Base Amberley.
Photo by LAC Scott Woodward |
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Prime Minister John Howard said that it was exciting to see the changes at one of Australia’s premier bases.
Mr Howard made his comments during a flying visit to RAAF Base Amberley on June 27, during which he had morning tea with a number of base and squadron personnel and inspected the C-17 and the new KC-30B Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft hangar.
“It’s a great pleasure to be here,” Mr Howard said.
“Amberley is one of the premier military bases in Australia and the heavy investment of the government in new aircraft and additional hangar space is obvious to anybody who comes here.
“This base will be housing the C-17s and in time the new Super Hornets; they have the F-111s and, of course, the Airbuses [will be based here] as well.
“It’s a remarkable facility and this is an amazing hangar, and you have to actually go inside it to get an idea of just how big these facilities and assets really are.”
Mr Howard announced that the Australian Government was providing up to $28 million to relocate and rebuild the Amberley State School at no expense to Defence, the state or the school.
The move was necessitated by the expansion and upgrading of the base, which would have resulted in the school falling within the expanded base area.
“This funding commitment will enable a new school to be built for 330 students and provide out-of-school care for 60 students.
“It is subject to the Queensland Government advising the Australian Government of where the new school will be located,” Mr Howard said.
“Moving the school was necessary as a result of $500 million in capital works to expand the base. This means that the site of the existing Amberley State School will no longer be suitable for a school.
“I am keen to ensure that [Amberley] students are provided with a new school in a suitable location.
“This has been an uncertain time for students, parents and the school community, and I thank them for participating in the consultation process.”
Mr Howard said that the school site and buildings would be transferred to Defence at no cost to the organisation.
The funding for the new school is in addition to the capital works already planned for Amberley. |
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