A major defence base just outside of Canberra is getting a big upgrade, in part to help better cater for cyber and space operations.
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It's one of a series of big announcements by the Morrison government this week, including a decision to beef up its missiles and munitions substantially to push back against China's regional aggression.
This latest announcement, to be formally made on Friday, also comes just a day before a byelection for the seat of Eden-Monaro, where the base is located.
The government will spend $31 million on the first stage of a major upgrade at Headquarters Joint Operations Command in Bungendore. The centre is the command centre for Australia's defence force operations around the world.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the two-stage upgrade would begin next month and eventually increase the number of personnel that could be housed there by about 400 people.
"When the expansion is complete, HQJOC will house up to 1400 personnel, doubling its capacity from when it was originally built in 2008, to cater for increasingly complex multi-domain operations including cyber and space," she said.
"This increase in the number of personnel based at HQJOC over the coming years will provide a significant boost to the local Bungendore economy on an ongoing basis."
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The first stage of works will include security accreditation work, a 1.9 megawatt solar farm, a car park upgrade and site preparation work for stage two, which will start in 2022.
Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said the work will be important for small businesses in Bungendore and Queanbeyan.
"The project will support construction jobs and ensure economic benefits flow to a region that has seen its share of recent challenges," she said.
"Up to 130 workers will be employed during the peak of construction. This construction work will align with the Morrison Government's COVID-19 economic recovery efforts."
"Defence will leverage existing contract arrangements to expedite these works and ensure local industry content is maximised."
The government has made a series of defence announcements this week, including an update to the Defence White Paper and a new force structure plan. Spending will be $270 billion over the next 10 years on a new range of weapons and infrastructure.
The new defence posture focuses on the Indo-Pacific and is partly in response to growing tension in the region, including between China and the United States.