StevoJH
The Bunker Group
Is that Marina part of the Naval base?
Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates
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Yes, its the small boat compound. It used to belong to the Queens Harbour Master/Dep of Navy along with all the boats but I guess its all now part of DMS.
Small boats, tugs, work boats, Admirals Barge, water lighters, stores lighters etc etc.
t68
Well-Known Member
Abe came up with a suggestion a while ago, hand FBE over to the state government for an overseas passenger terminal and use Charles Kingsford Smith airport as a joint RAN/RAAF base and enlarge the new proposed Sydney International airport so we only need one super airport.
It’s expensive and it would create a large work stimulus for the NSW economy also you could use part of the present terminal for freight if desired(additional income stream) ,RAAF Richmond could in theory close and move to the new FBE as could HMAS Albatross ships and associated aircraft in the one location.
I think abe’s idea has a lot of merit for both defence and tourism NSW whilst expensive it solves three problems at once and theirs even enough space for a golf course for the RAAF to keep up appearances
It’s expensive and it would create a large work stimulus for the NSW economy also you could use part of the present terminal for freight if desired(additional income stream) ,RAAF Richmond could in theory close and move to the new FBE as could HMAS Albatross ships and associated aircraft in the one location.
I think abe’s idea has a lot of merit for both defence and tourism NSW whilst expensive it solves three problems at once and theirs even enough space for a golf course for the RAAF to keep up appearances
Lets get real and move FBE out of sydney completely, maybe down to Jervis bay or up to Brisbane. Both places have an abundance of room. Sure Sydney harbour is beautiful and it is pretty to see the ships sailing through the heads but lets get past aesthetic or historical hang-ups and move into the future. The land surrounding port jackson is worth a-squillion and ever since its conception FBE has been feeling the squeeze. The navy needs a safe secure base that doesnt have neighbours overlooking it and can make as much noise and lighting as is operationally needed.
t68
Well-Known Member
From memory there was a plan at one stage but something to do with environment made it a no go, something to do with a frog or seaweed perhaps I can’t remember what it was.
That’s why people like Sydney harbor it was founded on being a working harbour and why Abrahams suggestion was to turn FBE into an overseas passenger terminal along with its café and restaurant’s and etcetera
Yep and that’s what Mascot provides along with its own airport and wharfs operating next to port botany docks. If anything those living adjacent to the airport will have a decrease in airport noise as the military will not have the current amount of flights arriving and departing.
by leave it in Sydney those in the service what a lifestyle too, moving too many posting out of the major capitals just makes it harder to keep people long term.
John Newman
The Bunker Group
Even if the idea of consolidating the units from FBE, Richmond and Nowra to Botany Bay / KSA has merit, the reality is it will never happen.
There are way too many Governments, interest groups, etc, involved for a decision to be made, how long has the discussion for the location of a second Sydney Airport been going on? 20, 30 years? more? And on it goes, everybody wants it, but not in their backyard of course.
That plan all depends on a second airport being operational first. By the time a site is eventually chosen (and all parties agree on too), designs are selected and construction is completed, I reckon by then the 'new' LHD's will be the 'old' LHD's and be ready for retirement!
Personally I'd like to see the Navy stay in Sydney Harbour at FBE, its about the only part of the 'working' harbour that Sydney Harbour once was.
So what's the solution, or at least a solution for the medium term?
As much as the Hammer Head Crane is an icon of the Sydney Harbour skyline, its time has come, and gone too. Maybe they could relocate at least the 'Hammer Head' section to, say for example, Cockatoo Island, I reckon that would be a fitting location, especially with the naval heritage of Cockatoo Island too.
As to expanding FBE (looking at the diagrams in the report), and keeping in mind that the base should continue to be as 'fully' operational as possible too while undergoing the extensions, I'd do it in two phases.
Firstly add wharf space to the unused (or under used) East side, such as the finger wharfs (as in Fig 4-6).
Once that is done and open for use, I would also like to see work on the west side, (as in Fig 4-5), the extension or 'squaring off' of the East Dock Wharf and the Cruiser Wharf.
Doing those three things should result in far more useful space for the Navy and also allow use by the largest of the cruise boats that visit Sydney in Summer (the rest of the cruise ships can use Circular Quay and also the new cruise terminal near Balmain too.
Anyway, that's my opinion for what its worth!
Clover Moore would be over the moon to get her hands on FBE for cruise ships thinking it would be a huge financial windfall for Sydney. Only problem for her is that the forecast numbers of international ships per year compared to what the Navy brings into the Sydney economy every year leaves a shortfall of Billions, that's why QLD would love to have a new Fleet Base on Brisbane River 
Jervis Bay does not have the public and economic infrastructure to handle Fleet Base, and who would really want to live down there anyway ? I don't see it doing too much for retention issues and recruitment.
And I certainly can't see a new international airport for Sydney anywhere in the new century, let alone then taking over Kingsford Smith and replacing jumbo's with fast jets and C17's.
The purpose built finger wharf to the East looks like a good option for the LHD's, something similar to what Spain built in Rota for the JC1, but Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay residents would be up in arms on that one !! Along with the changes to the East Dock Wharf and the Cruiser Wharf.
Barring that, a new FB is the only option, and QLD gets my vote for that IIRC Abe posted some time ago that the cost of a new FB purpose built in Brisbane River was in the order of $32b ?
Cheers
Jervis Bay does not have the public and economic infrastructure to handle Fleet Base, and who would really want to live down there anyway ? I don't see it doing too much for retention issues and recruitment.
And I certainly can't see a new international airport for Sydney anywhere in the new century, let alone then taking over Kingsford Smith and replacing jumbo's with fast jets and C17's.
The purpose built finger wharf to the East looks like a good option for the LHD's, something similar to what Spain built in Rota for the JC1, but Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay residents would be up in arms on that one !! Along with the changes to the East Dock Wharf and the Cruiser Wharf.
Barring that, a new FB is the only option, and QLD gets my vote for that
IIRC Abe posted some time ago that the cost of a new FB purpose built in Brisbane River was in the order of $32b ?Cheers
t68
Well-Known Member
Well that’s cheaper than the NBN and probably have more benefits to the economy.Barring that, a new FB is the only option, and QLD gets my vote for that
Cheers
Well Queensland at least.
Edit
Wasn’t that the post some time ago that the Brisbane River would be no good for sub as was too far to deep water or something along those lines?
Wonder when the greens are going to pick this up,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/21/bombs-dropped-great-barrier-reef
Having spoken to one individual involved in killing off the ammunition storage/wharf idea in JB I don't think there is a snow balls hope in hell of getting that one up. Politicians buckled once under this arguement and I don't see them trying again.Clover Moore would be over the moon to get her hands on FBE for cruise ships thinking it would be a huge financial windfall for Sydney. Only problem for her is that the forecast numbers of international ships per year compared to what the Navy brings into the Sydney economy every year leaves a shortfall of Billions, that's why QLD would love to have a new Fleet Base on Brisbane River
Jervis Bay does not have the public and economic infrastructure to handle Fleet Base, and who would really want to live down there anyway ? I don't see it doing too much for retention issues and recruitment.
And I certainly can't see a new international airport for Sydney anywhere in the new century, let alone then taking over Kingsford Smith and replacing jumbo's with fast jets and C17's.
The purpose built finger wharf to the East looks like a good option for the LHD's, something similar to what Spain built in Rota for the JC1, but Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay residents would be up in arms on that one !! Along with the changes to the East Dock Wharf and the Cruiser Wharf.
Barring that, a new FB is the only option, and QLD gets my vote for that
Cheers
To be honest I see less future in the KSA idea as you wouel need to buy and compensate Sydney Airport Corp for the loss of their investment. Given they claim KSA can fill Sydney needs without a second airport (I am not saying their argument is valid) this could be tricky and bloody expensive.
I like GI as it give the poor bloody sailor a base that is at least close to something. I honestly beleive the cost of moving it is just not worth it.
Yeah, those poor sailors with bases in Sydney and Perth...
If they move FBE to JB there won't be much about. The problem is you have to move everything and that includes all the accomodation which carries quite a cost.
I have a lot of sympathy for the Army who have some pretty isolated bases and I suspect Tindal is not a riot of fun either.
Sounds like Brisbane is the answer then?? More than enough space in the river and vacant land to build accommodation.
weegee
Active Member
Good news report on the Collins Class????
Hey guys
Did any one come across this on the weekend? Collins subs outstanding problems fixed
A actual good news report on the collins class? WTF? I bet this goes against the grain for the so called journalist's in Australia.
Hey guys
Did any one come across this on the weekend? Collins subs outstanding problems fixed
A actual good news report on the collins class? WTF? I bet this goes against the grain for the so called journalist's in Australia.
I think that subject of the subs came up around the same time as Rudd's subs and the "what if" we went back to a split East/West sub fleet again, but I don't see subs coming back to the east coast anytime soon. Brisbane river not the best as you don't have quick access to deep water, unlike being able to basically dive off Sydney heads or GI WestWell that’s cheaper than the NBN and probably have more benefits to the economy.
Well Queensland at least.
Edit
Wasn’t that the post some time ago that the Brisbane River would be no good for sub as was too far to deep water or something along those lines?
Wonder when the greens are going to pick this up,
Bombs dropped on Great Barrier Reef marine park | Environment | guardian.co.uk
Cheers
Could always do up Cockatoo Island as a sub base, always thought it was a waste to close the place so why not renovate it and move a number activities from Garden island to there. Nice private and secure.
John Newman
The Bunker Group
The only problem with that idea is that Cockatoo is now under the control of the Sydney Harbour Trust.
And interestingly so are a lot of other former Sydney Harbour / Parramatta River military establishments, HMAS Platapus, Woolwich Dock, the old artillery school at North Head, Chowder Bay.
All that land certainly worth a pretty penny if it was ever to come up for sale and redevelopment!
Trackmaster
Member
A Navy fast jet pilot who wants to go onto Hornets or Super Hornets. Interesting.
Navy pilot gets first chance to fly RAAF fighter aircraft solo | Navy Daily
Navy pilot gets first chance to fly RAAF fighter aircraft solo | Navy Daily
If he passes, and becomes a fighter pilot, will he then be transfer to the RAAF, or is the navy up to something?!
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