Australian Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite has detailed the opening of two new facilities at Puckapunyal Military Base in central Victoria.

The Federal Government has invested $40 million in a new health and wellbeing facility and $30 million investment in modern living-in accommodation for trainees with space to study, rest, and socialise.

The accommodation will also be environmentally friendly with solar panels, high-performance insulation and glazing and a heat pump system for energy efficiency and effective management of stormwater. In addition, cleared trees will be fully offset with replacement plants.

“About 97 per cent of the subcontract packages awarded to build the health and wellbeing facility were given to local businesses, in alignment with Defence’s Local Industry Capability Plan,” Thistlethwaite said in statement to the Seymour Telegraph on 17 May.

“That’s a great result. Australia would grind to a halt without our tradies, and by investing in them, we’ve invested in the future of trades in regional Victoria and in growing the local economy.

“The workers have done a terrific job constructing this facility, building the outdoor training area, athletics track, and associated infrastructure.”

The Defence Strategic Review, released earlier this year, sets out a blueprint for Australia’s strategic policy, defence planning and resourcing over the coming decades, he said.

“What is unchanged, and eternal is the need for the Army to be ready,” Thistlethwaite said.

“The Australian Army is its people; people united in a common purpose; professionals who are committed, who you can trust with your life.

“Australia needs our soldiers to be physically and mentally tough, compassionate, and courageous.

“The government is very mindful of our responsibility to invest in ADF personnel, to ensure they can meet their full potential, to be fit to fight and fit for life.