7RAR Battle Group

$597.4 million – Edinburgh Defence Precinct facilities only

Army Headquarters
Defence Support Group
1st Brigade

The 7th Royal Australian Regiment Battle Group commenced relocation from Darwin to the new purpose-built facilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh in January 2011. 600 members of the Battle Group are now operating out of the new facility.

Adelaide was chosen as the Battle Group's new home because of its easy access to transport, training facilities and deep maintenance support, as well as being an attractive location for Defence personnel and their families.

Army's presence at Edinburgh consists of the 7RAR mechanised infantry battalion equipped with upgraded M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers, a mechanised combat engineer squadron, a self-propelled artillery battery, a combat services support team and a detachment from the headquarters of the 1st Brigade.

The Battle Group's establishment at Edinburgh is providing huge economic opportunities for South Asutralia and reinforces our position as the Defence State.

The relocation will boost the state's population by around 1900 people - including soldiers, their partners and children. A large proportion of these will integrate into northern suburb communities creating demand for housing as well as education, childcare, sporting and medical facilities.

At full operating capacity, the 1100-strong Battle Group is expected to contribute over $100 million per annum to the South Australian economy and support 1675 jobs on an annual basis.

Significant changes have occured at RAAF Base Edinburgh, including the most extensive reconstruction of any Defence facility in Australia, with around $750 million being invested by Defence to upgrade or build new facilities.The majority of these works (some $600 million) are in support of the 7RAR Battle Group.

Over 7,200 people have worked on site during the construction, with approximatley 75 South Australian companies involved in the project.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, officially opened the Horseshoe Barracks and common user facilities with the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison on 9 September 2011.

New facilities include:

• working accommodation
• state-of-the-art health facility
• combined dining and recreation facility
• substantial fitness centre
• living accommodation
• support facilities

The project is scheduled for final completion in 2012. In addition, there have been significant upgrades to the existing Air Force infrastructure at Edinburgh, and additional facilities are being provided at Murray Bridge and Cultana to support the influx of soldiers to the state.