2nd Cavalry Regiment Moves To Townsville.
Defence is set to start consrtuction on the new home of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Lavarack Barracks. Herbert MP Ewen Jones yesterday welcomed $12.61 million in Federal funding which will assist with the transition of the regiment from Darwin to Townsville. The funding will assist in establishment of a suitable HQ for the regiment,workshop and working accommodation along with a range of associated infrastructure upgrades. This will be delivered through the adaptive reuse of some existing facilities located on the current grounds of B squadron 3/4 Cavalry Regiment,which will be temporarily disbanded to make room for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. It may be re-raised at a later date. Transition officer Captain Simon Priest said a number of advanced projects were due to start in coming weeks,with the majority of work to be carried out in the new year. In the interim,the regiment is focused on completing its logistics move from Darwin to Townsville ahead of their farewell parade in Darwin next friday. Mr Jones said that the recent funding allocation was a notable investment in the region.
"This is a significant investment by the Federal Government into our city ,to bolster our local brigade and its facilities," Mr Jones said. "It's also very exciting to see the 2nd Cavalry Regiment join the ranks of Townsville's 3rd Brigade. "The relocation of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment is a key element of broader restructuring under Plan Beersheba,the army's modernisation plan which includes the development of three balanced combat brigades." Under Plan Beersheba,the 2nd Cavalry Regiment will provide Townsville with an armoured capability when officially joining 3rd Brigade at a formal parade held at Lavarack Barracks on November 27. Capt Priest said the relocation would see an initial 200 army personnel relocate to the city with some staff also to be drawn from B squadron 3/4 Cavalry Regiment and other units across Australia.
