An artist’s impression of an infantry company building in the new 2RAR precinct.

By Cpl Belinda Mepham

EXTENSIVE demolitions at Lavarack Barracks have sparked a renewed interest in its development project.

The old Area 400 has been mostly demolished to make a greenfield, ready to start construction of the new 2RAR precinct.

Project liaison officer for DGCI Maj Kate Laughlan said the new 2RAR precinct would impress soldiers as much as the level five accommodation completed in stage two.

“The new precinct will refresh the suitability of work environments for the battalion as well as continuing to be an environmentally sustainable development,” she said.

“The very modern and climate adaptable design for the new look 2RAR is similar to the theme and materials used for the stage three development.”

Maj Laughlan said soldiers who lived in would note subtle changes in the design. When their daily duties ended and they returned to the lines, it would not feel as though they were still at the office.

“Facing the building’s east-west combined with passive cooling designs, the plans will meet 3 Bde’s commitment to climatising soldiers without unnecessary illness,” she said.

Passive cooling combines natural airflow with an effective building design to maintain fresher, cooler air in the work environments.

Maj Laughlan said the Australian Heritage Commission was consulted to help the area’s manage history conservation issues.

“Very special attention has been taken not to lose the heritage – the spirit of the soldier who served at Lavarack Barracks during the Vietnam War and before,” she said.

“The footprint [layout] of the precinct is almost exactly the same, and we have taken special consideration to protect and preserve the history and knowledge of the area including the trees.

“Trees, which would take 30 or more years to revegetate, have been conserved to help adapt the new design to its environment.”

Three existing accommodation buildings and the Promotion Training Section lecture building will remain in the precinct to act as surge accommodation as required by 2RAR.

With 70 per cent of the demolitions complete, construction within the precinct has started with a new Q-store for 2RAR.

Once the precinct is complete and the battalion has moved in, 1RAR will temporarily occupy the current 2RAR location until October 2003.

The current location of 1RAR will be demolished and rebuilt by the end of October 2004.

The HQ 3 Bde precinct will undergo the same schedule as 1RAR by the end of October 2005.

The HQ 3 Bde building will remain listed with the Australian Heritage Commission. It is expected to house HQ 11 Bde in the future.

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