Announced in 2015, the Australia – Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI) is building Defence capability, enhancing Australia's bilateral relationship with Singapore, and providing enduring economic benefits to Central and North Queensland.
The ASMTI is a key element of the Australia – Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, deepening collaboration between the 2 countries.
On 10 December 2020 the Australian Government and the Government of the Republic of Singapore ratified the Treaty concerning Military Training and Training Area Development in Australia. The Treaty builds on more than 30 years of Singapore's military training in Australia and underpins Singapore's investment and commitment to delivering the ASMTI.
When the ASMTI reaches maturity, up to 14,000 Singapore Armed Forces personnel will conduct unilateral training for up to 18 weeks a year for 25 years.
Objectives
The key objectives of ASMTI are:
- strengthening Singapore partnerships
- enhancing and developing training areas
- delivering ADF requirements
- engaging local communities
- developing local industry.
Training areas
Under the ASMTI Defence has expanded and developed the existing Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Central Queensland and is establishing a new training area, Greenvale Training Area, in North Queensland.
Central Queensland
The Shoalwater Bay Training Area is approximately 100 kilometres North of Rockhampton. Defence acquired approximately 110,000 hectares of land to expand the training area to the west.
North Queensland
Defence has acquired approximately 310,000 hectares for the development of the Greenvale Training Area, approximately 215 kilometres north west of Townsville.
Timeline
The following activities mark ASMTI's progress and planning.
| Year |
Activity |
| 2015 |
- Announcement of Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
|
| 2016 |
- Australia and Singapore sign Memorandum of Understanding on training area access and development.
|
| 2017 |
- Socio-Economic Impact Assessment released.
- Defence announcement of intention to only purchase land from willing sellers.
|
| 2018 |
- Appointment of Laing O’Rourke as Managing Contractor for ASMTI works in Central Queensland.
- Commencement of construction of Explosive Ordnance Earth Covered Storage Facility at Mt Stuart in North Queensland.
|
| 2019 |
- Settlement with willing sellers to establish a training area near Greenvale in North Queensland.
- Acquisition of sufficient land near Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Central Queensland to viably expand the existing training area.
- Commencement of environment and heritage studies to inform land management plans in Central and North Queensland.
- Registration of Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Darumbal Traditional Owners in Central Queensland.
- Commencement of early works in Central and North Queensland.
- Completion of Explosive Ordnance Earth Covered Storage Facility at Mt Stuart in North Queensland.
|
| 2020 |
- Treaty concerning Military Training and Training Area Development signed by Australia and Singapore.
- Appointment of CPB Contractors Pty Ltd as Managing Contractor for ASMTI works in North Queensland.
- Commencement of major construction works at Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
|
| 2021 |
- Indigenous Land Use Agreements with Gudjala, Gugu Badhun, and Ewamian Traditional Owners in North Queensland, registered with Native Title Tribunal.
|
| 2022 |
- Defence's Managing Contractor completed the design of the Greenvale Training Area (excluding Urban Operations Live Fire).
|
| 2024 |
- Completion of construction of facilities and infrastructure at Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
- Uplift in Singapore Armed Forces unilateral training at Shoalwater Bay Training Area from 45 days, to a single 9-week period a year for up to 6,600 troops.
- Formal opening of Shoalwater Bay Training Area facilities.
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) ongoing environmental assessment of Greenvale Training Area.
|
| At maturity |
- Up to 14,000 Singapore Armed Forces troops train in Central or North Queensland for up to 18 weeks per year.
|