22 April 2022
More than 20 years after 12th Chief Engineer Works was disestablished, the unit is being brought back to life under the Army Objective Force.
Similar to 19th Chief Engineer Works, its Randwick-based sister unit, 12th Chief Engineer Works will provide deployable design and project management capability for infrastructure construction tasks in support of our work with Pacific partners, including contributing to Defence infrastructure projects in the Pacific region as part of Australian Government’s Pacific Step-up and Defence Cooperation programs.
As part of the re-raising, a works section from 19th Chief Engineer Works who were working in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) transferred to 12th Chief Engineer Works.
The works section will continue partnering with the PNGDF, to continue management of critical security infrastructure projects.
Having operated within Mendi, PNG, under other unit titles as early as July 1, 1971, 12th Chief Engineer Works was first designated in March 1978.
Before being disestablished on December 8, 1999, 12th Chief Engineer Works acted as a Department of Works for PNG, undertaking ‘nation building’ projects.
Lieutenant Colonel Pollard, Commanding Officer of the re-raised 12th Chief Engineer Works, said this event holds important historical ties within the region.
"We’re proud of the 12th Chief Engineer Works’ shared history with 19th Chief Engineer Works and Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“We’ll balance our PNG history with our regional cooperation more broadly, as we bolster Army’s deployable design and project management capability.”
Part of the 6th Brigade, 12th Chief Engineer Works will be fully established with approximately 60 personnel by 2023.
The re-raising of this unit is a milestone of the Army Objective Force as it seeks to enhance our engineering capabilities across Army that is Ready Now, and able to generate teams that are Future Ready.
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr said the re-establishment of 12th Chief Engineer Works was another example of Army’s modernisation.
"I'm looking forward to welcoming 12th Chief Engineer Works back onto the Australian Army Order of Battle,” Lieutenant General Burr said.
“The re-establishment of 12th Chief Engineer Works will significantly enhance Army’s ability to deliver facilities and infrastructure projects in support of the joint force, coalition and interagency partners.
“12th Chief Engineer Works will also enhance Defence’s engagement in the Pacific region, bolstering operational capacity, resilience and interoperability to help meet the Australian Government’s commitments within Australia and the Pacific region.”
12th Chief Engineer Works was formally re-raised through a small ceremony on April 23 in front of invited guests, including former members of 12th Chief Engineer Works and their families.
