CPB Contactors is delivering the Australian Government’s Army Aviation Program of Works (AAPoW) (The Project) at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Townsville, Queensland.

In line with the objectives of the Defence Strategic Review, works will include the upgrade or rebuild of infrastructure and facilities to support the relocation of both the 1st Aviation Regiment from Robertson Barracks and the 16th Aviation Brigade from Gallipoli Barracks to RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland.

The Project will also construct a new attack helicopter Forward Arming and Refuelling Point at the Townsville Field Training Area, new or refurbished staff working areas, aircraft storage, maintenance and refuelling facilities, explosive ordnance areas, and the supporting civil and services infrastructure.

The project scope includes construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing infrastructure, including:

• Command Management facilities: construction of a new four storey combined headquarters facility, a new logistics management facility and refurbishment of multiple existing working accommodation facilities to enable the effective management of aviation, logistics and maintenance operations.
• Training facilities: refurbishment of existing simulator halls and construction of new classroom facilities to enable effective training of aviation staff and supporting personnel.
• Maintenance facilities: construction of new multi-purpose facility to provide a two-bay deep maintenance hangar, Special Repair Activity workshop and Repair Parts Store (warehouse), refurbishment of four hangar bays for deep maintenance, construction of a two bay hangar extension, refurbishment of all 19 hangar bays, construction of wash bay extension and refurbishment to provide working accommodation for the Systems Program Office.
• Logistics facilities: construction of a bulk fuel tanker parking area and warehousing for parts and equipment storage.
• Services upgrades: new multi-storey carpark and a new on-grade carpark, remediation of contamination, enhancement of existing electrical, ICT, fire and potable water infrastructure.
• Airfield infrastructure: enhancement of existing ordnance loading aprons at RAAF Base Townsville. Additionally, constructing ordnance loading aprons and enhancing existing airfield infrastructure to support the increased activity at the Townsville Field Training Area (TFTA).

Positive partnerships with our subcontractors and suppliers deliver reciprocal benefits – often starting with shared behaviours, values and objectives so that we have the right frameworks for them to flourish. 

As a trusted major project partner, CPB Contractors prioritises sustainability in all supply chain and procurement activities. We recognise and embrace our responsibility to provide positive social, economic and environmental outcomes for the suppliers we work alongside.

More information on CPB Contractor’s collaborative approach to procurement can be found here: Supply chain and procurement

Location

CPB Contractors acknowledges the Gurrumbilbarra Wulgurukaba, Bindal, Gudjala, Gimuy Walubara Yidinji People as the traditional and continuing custodians of the lands on which the Army Aviation Program of Works project is being delivered.

The Project is located at: RAAF Base Townsville, Army Aviation precinct, located in Garbutt, approximately six kilometres west of the Townsville central business district. Townsville Field Training Area which is located approximately 60 kilometres south-west of Townsville to achieve operation efficiency, and deconfliction with other Defence operations and Townsville Airport operations.

Procurement

Overview

Priority and Early Works procurement has been undertaken with further procurement to commence for the balance of the project works.

Our procurement approach involves broadening the spectrum of participating businesses through a combination of Trade Packages and combining smaller Trade Packages into Works Packages, which will then be offered to mid-tier companies that have expressed interest in participating in the project.

Upcoming tender packages

The following trade packages, depending on value and complexity, will be called to tender through Felix (industry procurement platform) either via a Single Stage Open Tender or Multi-Stage Open Tender (which includes an Expression of Interest (EOI) and tender shortlisting process). More information can be found here: Working with us

The list of trade packages including anticipated timings of approach to market, procurement method and Contract type can be viewed here: List of trade packages

More detailed information on Working with us, Procurement and Tender Readiness can be viewed here: Working with us

For general enquires or more information on the AAPoW project, including future procurement and employment opportunities, email AAPOW@cpbcon.com.au

CPB Contractors' Commitment to North Queensland

Key to the successful delivery of the AAPoW project is our locally based design and construction teams. With more than 30 years’ experience delivering Defence projects in Cairns and Townsville, CPB Contractors has long-standing links to the communities of North Queensland.

Other Defence projects delivered by CPB Contractors in the region include Townsville Army Aviation Works, Lavarack Barracks (Stages 2, 3, 4), RAAF Base Townsville and HMAS Cairns Redevelopment.

 

Local Investment

CPB Contractors is committed to local industry, workforce development and upskilling, with significant targets for local business including opportunities for workforce trainees and apprentices.

 

Local Industry Participation

The Project is targeting during the Delivery Phase of the project ninety-four (94) percent Local Industry Participation (LIP) by value from Local Government Areas covered by a 500 km arc from the AAPoW sites with a particular focus on population centres within a 125 km arc from the Townsville and surrounding regions.

Where businesses are not local for technical or quality reasons, we will require that they demonstrate how they will establish and sustain local benefits for the duration of the project.

 

Indigenous Participation - Indigenous and inclusion

The Project recognises that engaging and building relationships and trust with traditional owners, local Indigenous men and women, their communities and organisations requires awareness, knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture, traditions, (generational trauma)remove generational trauma and barriers to economic participation.

The Project is fully aligned with the Australian Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) is focused on stimulating Indigenous entrepreneurship, business and economic development, and providing Indigenous Australians with more opportunities to participate in the economy.

The Project will target seven (7) percent employment of Indigenous workers, and four (4) percent spend with Indigenous businesses, as per the CPB Contractors’ Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan.

Through our Indigenous and Social Inclusion Strategy and Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), we demonstrate our commitment to providing participation opportunities in employment, training, and enterprises for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and businesses throughout the life of our projects and across our operations. 

 

Training - Skills and capacity

The Project is targeting ten (10) percent participation in ‘Entry level Training’ opportunities such as Apprentice and Traineeships, Graduate and Undergraduate placements, and Indigenous employment.

Further to this the Project is looking to achieve a minimum of six(6) percent of apprentice work hours to be undertaken by female apprentices, increasing to nine(9) percent by 2028.

The project and its subcontractors will implement strategies to achieve this gender target within the broader apprentice workforce, and how to encourage and support female participation in apprenticeships, including any specific outreach or recruitment efforts aimed at women.

 

Veterans Participation - CPB Contractors: A proud supporter of Veteran Employment

CPB Contractors is a gold member of the Veterans Business Alliance with OASIS Townsville Limited a service that supports veterans and their families with the transition and reconnection back to the civilian lifestyle and opportunities.  

The Army Aviation Program of Works based at RAAF Base Townsville provides an opportunity for subcontractors to engage with and provide employment opportunities to Veterans and ex-service personnel living or Townsville and the surrounding areas.

 

Community and Partnerships - Community and social license

The Project proudly supports the following organisations within our community:

The Oasis Townsville CPB Contractors is an active member of the Veterans Business Alliance, an initiative of which is The Oasis, which appreciates the value Veterans can bring to businesses. It's mission is to provide a 'single front door' for all members of the ex-ADF community in Townsville, including families, as well as current ADF members who have begun the transition journey, to transition, connect and integrate into the Townsville Community.

The Clontarf Foundation The Clontarf Foundation is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that operates a sports academy as a platform to engage and support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to complete year 12 and find employment. Its aim is to improve education, life skills, and employment prospects for these students. They have three campuses within Townsville. The Clontarf schools include Townsville State High School, Kirwan High School and Thuringowa State High School.

Garbutt Magpies CPB Contractors has partnered with the Garbutt Magpies Sporting and Cultural Association to provide in-kind project management support for new clubhouse facilities and a sports oval lighting upgrade at Harold Phillips Park, located in the suburb of Garbutt, Townsville. The Garbutt Magpies is an Australian rules football and rugby league club based in Townsville, Queensland. It has a strong connection to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and is well-known for promoting inclusion, culture, and community through sport.

National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) CPB Contractors is actively involved with the recently established North Queensland branch of NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) in Townsville with the purpose of empowering and educating women in the region while also offering a platform for networking within the construction industry. CPB Contractors has a long-standing partnership with NAWIC and maintains a commitment to support the attraction, retention and development of women in construction. More information is available here: https://www.cpbcon.com.au/about-us/our-priorities/women-in-construction