Townsville North Queensland Defence Strategy
Townsville has a long and proud role at the core of our nation’s Defence – we are Australia’s leading garrison city.
The Townsville North Queensland Defence Strategy is our city’s plan to strengthen this role over the decades to come.
Its vision is that, by 2030, Townsville North Queensland will be a preferred location for allied forces training, an Army home base of choice and the Australian Defence Force Forward Mounting Base.
The Strategy is founded upon the principle of mutual benefit. The best path forward is to identify the shared opportunities to fulfil both Defence capability priorities and our community’s growth.
By doing so, we can achieve improved national security, improved skills and innovation, renewed economic development, and global recognition for local industry.
The Strategy will be delivered by prioritising several High Payoff Target opportunities. These are:
- Defence Simulation Training
- Integrated Soldier Systems Centre of Excellence
- Defence Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
- Maritime Replenishment and Logistics
- Joint Amphibious Force Capability
- Aviation Super Base for Army
Townsville North Queensland Defence Strategy (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Townsville Region Defence Opportunity Placemats (PDF, 699.1 KB)
North Queensland Simulation Park (NQ Spark)
The North Queensland Simulation Park (NQ Spark) business case is an innovative simulation training facility that will deliver considerable economic benefits to the Townsville and Australian economies.
NQ Spark will be northern Australia’s first collaborative industry hub focused on developing defence capability.
The project will bring together the regional science, defence, health and knowledge expertise in Townsville to create an advanced environmental simulation facility and technology-orientated collaborative precinct.
NQ Spark is being developed under the TropiQ partnership with support from Townsville City Council, James Cook University, Townsville Hospital and Health Service and Queensland Government.
It will be built in Douglas between James Cook University, Townsville University Hospital and Lavarack Barracks. It will include around 13,400 square metres of commercial industry space.
Townsville City Council will be seeking funding under the Townsville City Deal and leveraging the upcoming federal election for funding commitments for the project.
North Queensland Simulation Park - Feasibility Analysis (PDF, 3.5 MB)
North Queensland Simulation Park - Business Case Overview (PDF, 7.9 MB)
