Defence Minister Richard Marles has remained non-committal on the future of the Woodside Barracks, following increasing speculation it could be sold as part of an internal estate review.
Member for Mayo Rebehka Sharkie yesterday asked for clarity on the barracks’ future as part of parliament, with Marles stating the findings will remain private until next year at least.
“We need to be ensuring that all the implications in relation to personnel associated with a thorough review of this estate are completely worked through and that will take some months to do that,” Marles said during Question Time.
“It is not our intention to respond to the review until sometime next year because of the work that is involved in relation to that.”
Following the response, Sharkie says it’s a hard situation for locals to stomach.
“It is disappointing that the Minister for Defence was not able to provide any assurances in his response. Our community shouldn’t have to wait until next year to determine if the barracks will stay or go,” Sharkie said.
“South Australia can’t be the Defence State if our barracks keep closing.”
The Barracks were established in 1927 and has been serving an important economic and military function in the Hills since.
It is currently an operational base for the 16th Air Land Regiment, with more than 100 Army and Airforce Cadets hosted on site.
