Lendlease expects up to 85 full-time jobs to stem from its contract to deliver the LAND 4502 Project at RAAF Base Townsville.

Work on the LAND 4502 Project has commenced and is due for completion in late 2020.

Lendlease says tenders have already gone to market and its is working through the contracts with each subcontractor – with a strong emphasis on local participation.

The project includes the construction of new facilities and infrastructure, and upgrading of some of the existing facilities, to support three additional Chinook Helicopters (CH-47F) for 5th Aviation Regiment.

Lendlease chief executive officer building Australia Dale Connor said the appointment reinforced Lendlease’s local Defence capability and commitment to the Townsville region.

“Lendlease has been delivering work at RAAF Base Townsville for more than 10 years,” he said.

“Securing the LAND 4502 Project allows our North Queensland team to transition from the recently completed Replacement Chinook Facilities Project and continue our work promoting increased Indigenous and local industry participation.

“With the support of Defence, we have developed a Local Industry Capability Plan for the LAND 4502 Project that not only identifies subcontract, employment and training opportunities, but also ensures that wherever possible, the project spend is directed into the local economy.”

He said the group’s work on the Replacement Chinook Facilities Project at RAAF Base Townsville injected about $39 million into the local economy, with 72 per cent of subcontract packages being awarded to local businesses.

“Other Defence projects delivered by Lendlease in Townsville include the recently completed LAND 121 Project at Lavarack Barracks that achieved 92 per cent local industry participation,” he said.

Lendlease says the LAND 4502 Project will be an employment generator in the region over the next 18 months, providing opportunity for approximately 85 full time jobs onsite at peak times.

To date, site sheds have been established and piling works will take place shortly.