ArMy PreSence in South AuStrAliA - Defence SA

SuMMAry
1. Current Presence. As the ‘Defence State’,
South Australia is home to some 7,369 Regular
and Reserve Australian Defence Force (ADF)
and Department of Defence personnel 2 and
a significant portion of Australia’s Defence
and defence industry capabilities. These
include naval ship building and submarine
maintenance, Army artillery, engineer and
infantry and ground based air defence,
RAAF maritime surveillance and aerospace
operational support and the Defence Science
and Technology Organisation (DSTO) research
and development capabilities.
2. Opportunities for Review. At a time when
there is an extensive review of ADF posture
and Army is planning its force structure,
South Australia offers a range of opportunities
for Army that could be adopted over the next
10 years or so.
3. Research. The Study involved research and
interviewing senior ADF, Defence and defence
industry representatives seeking their views on
the future Army presence in South Australia.
This information was analysed against the
existing studies and other influences currently
shaping the Defence environment in Australia.
4. Influences. Those influences likely to impact
future decisions regarding Army basing and
activity include the 2009 Defence White Paper,
the United States (US) Global Force Posture
Review, the ADF Force Posture Review, Army’s
Force Structure Review (Plan Beersheba)
and the unequivocal support for Defence, the
ADF and the Army from the South Australian
Government. Lesser considerations are the
current brigade battle rhythm, Army posture
and employment post-Afghanistan, recurrent
budget implications and the use of Enhanced
Equipment Pools (EEP). All these factors
are considered regarding their impact on
South Australia together with the continuing
negative impact of climatic issues on Army
activity in Darwin.
2012
5. Army Presence in South Australia. By the end
of 2012, the 1st Brigade elements based in
South Australia are planned to number some
1,200 soldiers plus more than 600 family
members. Together with the 350 soldiers of
the 16th Air Land Regiment and other Regular
Army soldiers already based in the State,
Army in South Australia will then comprise
5.8% of the Regular Army. These soldiers
provide Army’s ground-based air defence and
a mechanised battle group. In addition, 7.2% of
the Army Reserve is based in South Australia
as members of the 9th Brigade.
6. Training Areas and Ranges. An array of training
areas support these capabilities, with a Close
Training Area (CTA) within Horseshoe Barracks,
the Murray Bridge Training Area (MBTA) 100
km to the south east and the Cultana Training
Area (CUTA) three hours drive to the north. In
addition, some 450 km north of Adelaide lies
the massive Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA).
7. Basing Principles. In the 2009 Defence White
Paper, the Government identified five strategic
principles to guide future basing decisions.
Briefly, these principles are that bases should:
• be aligned with strategic requirements
and ensure that critical capabilities are
suitably dispersed,
• maintain an urban and regional disposition,
• be consolidated into fewer, larger and more
sustainable multi-user sites,
• be grouped near strategic infrastructure and
industry, and
• be located in ‘family friendly’ areas in order
to improve retention.
The Study juxtaposed these principles with the
South Australian environment and identified
that the State was fully compliant with all five
of these principles.
Army Presence in South Australia Maintaining the Momentum 8