Minister Marles: Perth barracks will not be demolished for housing — ABC News Australia

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said that the planned sale of Irwin and Leeuwin Barracks in the Perth area does not involve demolishing the sites for residential development. Both facilities are located in desirable residential areas and are subject to heritage protection restrictions safeguarded by law.

As ABC News Australia reports, the sales will not take place anytime soon: they will not proceed until the cadets and Army reservists currently using these facilities are moved to an alternative site. According to Marles, the aim of the process is to make defence infrastructure more suitable for the needs of the Defence Force.

Relocation of cadets and reservists

The minister noted that a significant part of cadet and reservist activities takes place at old facilities that do not fully meet their needs. The Department of Defence is also consulting with the Western Australian branch of the RSL on relocating some activities to Palmer Barracks in South Guildford.

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Irwin Barracks occupies 61.5 hectares in Perth’s western suburbs. Leeuwin Barracks is located in East Fremantle on the banks of the Swan River and covers 14 hectares.

Preparation for sale

Before the land is transferred to the Department of Finance, which will be responsible for the sale, both sites must undergo the necessary remediation work and preparation. Marles did not say whether expressions of interest had been received from potential buyers or what the value of the sites might be.

He stressed that heritage sites are protected by law and that this protection will remain in place. According to the minister, neither site is planned to be levelled, and some of these historic places may become more accessible to the public.