2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

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CHAPTER FOUR: THE FUTURE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE
Defence’s fuel resilience and capacity to transport bulk fuel to support
our bases and operations. This will include upgrades to existing Defence
fuel infrastructure as well as improvements to our ability to utilise
commercial fuel supplies.
4.69 As previous reviews have highlighted, basing requirements to support
the larger and heavier ADF to be introduced over the coming decades
will place significant pressure on Defence and civilian infrastructure in
Australia. Climate change will also place pressure on the Defence estate,
with sea level rises having implications for Navy bases and more extreme
weather events more frequently putting facilities at risk of damage.
SECTION TWO CAPABILITY
4.70 Beyond 2025, the Defence estate footprint will need to be further
developed to accommodate our new high technology capabilities
and ensure that Defence is appropriately postured for future strategic
requirements and the implications of climate change. This will involve
developing new bases, wharves, airfields and training and weapons
testing ranges. It will also include considering the long-term future
of some Defence bases, such as Garden Island in Sydney Harbour,
as issues such as urban development, encroachment and capacity
constraints within existing infrastructure affect the ADF’s ability to safely
and effectively execute its mission.
4.71 Effective environmental management is an important part of successfully
managing and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Defence
estate. The Government expects Defence to take its environmental
stewardship responsibilities seriously, and to comply with relevant
environmental legislation and regulations, including the protection of
biodiversity on Defence bases.
4.72 Further details on the Government’s major capital facilities plans are
included in the Integrated Investment Program accompanying this
White Paper.