Single Living Navy accommodation opens at Larrakeyah

Published 15 June 2013

LARRAKEYAH, NORTHERN TERRITORY – The Plenary Living consortium has successfully rolled out another of its Single LEAP 2 sites at HMAS Coonawarra at Larrakeyah in the Northern Territory.

Officially opened yesterday by Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, the facility provides 232 new single living accommodation units for navy personnel on the base.

Speaking at the opening event on behalf of the Plenary Living consortium, Plenary Group Principal John O’Rourke said this was the sixth facility completed as part of the $900 million Single LEAP 2 public private partnership project for the Department of Defence.

“During this year and into early 2014 a further 11 LEAP 2 facilities will open their doors across Australia, including another one in the Northern Territory, with the second stage of works at Robertson Barracks.”

Mr O’Rourke said that Plenary Group has partnered with a consortium of local construction firms and Compass Group Pty Ltd to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain 3,015 accommodation units for 33 years.

“Our strategy of partnering with local builders and sub-contractors on this project enables us to draw on a skilled local supplier network and generate local jobs and economic benefits.”

Plenary Group has partnered with local builder Sitzler for the Single LEAP 2 sites in the Northern Territory.

“The team at Sitzler is to be commended for their fantastic work in completing construction at Larrakeyah an impressive 12 weeks ahead of program,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Even with the added complexity of having to restore three heritage buildings each suffering from significant structural deterioration, the consortium has worked together to deliver an outstanding result for Defence both on time and on budget.”

Sitzler Managing Director Steve Margetic praised his project team on completing the works at Larrakeyah ahead of schedule and for meeting safety and quality targets.

“In particular, the standard of finish delivered on the heritage buildings is outstanding and we are very proud of the finished product. Our work at Larrakeyah is a credit to our staff and our dedicated sub-contractors.”

The Single LEAP 2 facilities at HMAS Coonawarra and Robertson Barracks combined have created an estimated 245 fulltime equivalent jobs on site and an additional 120 jobs off site during construction.

The second stage of works at Robertson Barracks is due for completion in February 2014.

Read the release from Minister Snowdon's office

Executive Director, Communications
+61 3 8888 7754
+61 418 530 806
chris.whitefield@plenary.com