The Albanese Government is undertaking the most significant reform to the Defence estate ever, to ensure it is fit for purpose – providing the ADF with the facilities and capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe.
The independent Defence Estate Audit highlights that many Defence properties are no longer fit for purpose to defend Australia. Many sites, including Fort Queenscliff, are underutilised and costing millions of dollars to maintain with no direct contribution to ADF capabilities.
The Government is committed to making the tough decisions because it’s the right thing to do to keep Australians safe and protect our national interest.
Any interest from potential buyers and subsequent conditions of sale, where necessary, will be subject to the divestment process run by the Department of Finance.
All proceeds from the sale will be reinvested back in the Defence Budget in the priority areas of the recently released National Defence Strategy.
The independent Defence Estate Audit estimates the Federal Government would spend $2 billion over the next 25 years on maintaining divested sites like Fort Queenscliff.
To protect the safety of future generations, the Albanese Government is overseeing the biggest increase in defence spending in Australia’s peacetime history, with what is now an additional $117 billion over the next decade.
The independent Defence Estate Audit found the divestment of Fort Queenscliff and the other 66 sites would result in no loss of Defence capability.
Protecting Heritage at Fort Queenscliff
Engagement with key historical organisations and community groups has begun, to best preserve and honour our military history as part of the divestment process.
There is one Commonwealth Heritage Listing for Fort Queenscliff protecting 93% of the structures on the site, including the Black Lighthouse, gun emplacements, perimeter walls, the Keep, the Quartermasters store and the Signal Tower.
The Audit found that Defence maintains at least 130 known museums, history rooms and displays across the country but 80% of these are not easily accessible to the public. Collectively this equates to 20 hectares of the estate dedicated to the storage of heritage items.
The Government has outlined its intension to uphold and enhance public access at historically significant sites, like Fort Queenscliff, so that all Australians can honour our proud military history.
Heritage protection and historic preservation at Fort Queenscliff will be a condition of sale when the site is transferred from Defence to the Department of Finance for divestment.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
“As Australia faces the most challenging strategic circumstances since the Second World War, it is more important than ever that our Defence capabilities are fit for purpose to keep Australians safe.
“We know that many Defence sites have served Australians proudly, hold significant sentimental value, and are reminders of our past sacrifices and achievements. The heritage of these properties belongs to the Australian people, yet many of these sites are not easily accessible to the public. That’s why we are committed to working with historical organisations and community groups to preserve and enhance public access to historically significant sites and collections, so all Australians can honour our proud military history.
“The independent Defence Estate Audit made clear that maintaining buildings that are no longer fit for purpose or used for their original intent would cost taxpayers more than $2 billion over the next 25 years.
“The decision to divest 67 sites represents the most significant reform to Australia's Defence estate in our nation's history. While it is a difficult step to move away from legacy sites, it is the right decision in the national interest.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil:
“I know that some, like Senator Henderson, never like to let the truth get in the way of a good story, but her claims about the divestment of this site are false and she’s misleading locals into thinking that bulldozers are going to turn up and start clearing the site in the weeks ahead.
“To be clear. No buildings or structures on the Fort Queenscliff site that are protected under Commonwealth or State heritage laws will be demolished, cleared or damaged. In the weeks ahead we will consult with communities across the country as begin to implement this important reform.
“The divestment of a historic sites will actually open it up to the public so this community, and Australians from across to the country, can better understand the role Fort Queenscliff has played in our military history.
“All funds from the divestments of the 67 sites across the nation will go back into the Defence budget. This divestment of this site is expected to save the taxpayer over $40 million over the next 10 years, it’s disgraceful the Coalition wants to spend millions on fixing 19th Century architecture rather than kit for our men and women in uniform. We promised to ensure taxpayer dollars aligned with defence spending are actually aligned with the public’s expectation of value for money. And that’s exactly what we’re doing with this very important reform.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker:
“Over the past month, there’s been a great deal of misinformation about the future of the Fort, but I want you to know the facts.
“There is one important fact that you should know – more than 93 per cent of the Fort is heritage protected and that will not change. If you want access to clear factual information, you should come to our Community Engagement Session on April 29.
“Like many in our community, I deeply value Fort Queenscliff. For more than 160 years, it has been central to Queenscliff’s story - from its role in global conflicts to its place in our local life, and I am committed to ensuring it continues to play an important role in our region’s future.”
