Work set to begin on site of The Oasis Townsville

Construction will soon commence on important early works including roads, lighting and footpaths at The Oasis Townsville, with the first sod turned, and announcement of a Townsville-based civil construction company to kick start work on site.

Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke congratulated Newlands Civil Construction and welcomed them on board The Oasis Townsville project.

“Newlands Civil Construction has the experience and expertise in working on projects of this size and significance to the local community – and most importantly, they will support local construction jobs,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“The construction of roads, lighting and footpaths on site here in Oonoonba really lays the foundation for the development of The Oasis Townsville.

“The Oasis Townsville will be a community hub to support ex-ADF personnel as they transition into civilian life.

“It is anticipated that this early works is completed by Anzac Day this year – which would be a fantastic achievement for the TOT committee and the defence community here in Townsville.

“The tender for construction of the main works – the major construction of buildings–is due to open next month.”

The hub is anticipated to be completed and fully operational by the end of July this year.

The Palaszczuk Government has provided up to $4.3 million towards land and building for The Oasis Townsville.

This is expected to support around 26 full-time equivalent local jobs and boost the Townsville economy.

The Commonwealth Government has now also committed $5 million for future stages of the project.

The Oasis Townsville advisory committee chairman retired Lieutenant General John Caligari AO DSC welcomed the start of the early works on site.

“All of The Oasis Townsville volunteers are very excited to see the first activity at the site of our new facility at The Village, in Oonoonba,” Mr Caligari said.

“The new facility will be a big step forward for the veteran community of Townsville to have a place to meet over a coffee and to help others; and if needed, be helped to find how to best connect with the veteran community for support and to integrate with the broader Townsville community.” 

Mrs O’Rourke said The Oasis was a very important project for Townsville, which has around 15,000 ex-defence force personnel living in the city.

“We have a large population of ex-defence force personnel in Townsville and we expect this number to grow by about 500 people per year,” she said.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government has worked hard to get this project off the ground and to support the ex-defence force community.”

For more information about The Oasis Townsville, visit: www.theoasistownsville.org.au 

ENDS 

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389