United States Force Posture Initiatives (USFPI) Northern Territory Training Areas and Ranges Upgrades

Supporting Australia’s Defence Alliance with the United States

WSP is working closely with Managing Contractor, Sitzler and Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch-Department of Defence, to deliver upgrades of range facilities and infrastructure in the Northern Territory as part of the proposed United States Force Posture Initiatives (USFPI) capital infrastructure works in Australia. Upgrades to the four existing training areas will improve interoperability between Australian and our partners, including the US armed forces. The project enhances capability support and opportunities to engage with partners in the Indo-Pacific and better posture both nations to respond to contingencies requiring humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

The training areas and ranges sites include:

• Robertson Barracks Close Training Area
• Kangaroo Flats Training Area
• Mount Bundey Training Area
• Bradshaw Field Training Area

The anticipated completion of the project is December 2025.

Providing flexible, long-lasting solutions for remote key Defence infrastructure

Engaged as the services engineering design subconsultant, WSP is providing all building services related to precinct design, range support buildings, support facilities, camp facilities, medical facilities, wash bays and infrastructure.

The scope of work includes:

• Decommissioning of select facilities and ranges
• Upgrade of existing training area facilities
• Construction of new support facilities and infrastructure
• Provision of new roads and upgrades to existing roads
• Provision of new services infrastructure and upgrades to existing services
• Heavy duty hardstands
• Integration of solar PV and battery systems for remote buildings 
• HV redesigns at Mount Bundey Training Area and Kangaroo Flats Training Area to meet updated requirements from local utilities and authorities; Power Water Corporation and Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority. 

We are leveraging our position by implementing local teams to carry out site inspections and attend site meetings at the remote locations across the NT.

Having local presence, including our Design Manager based in WSP’s Darwin office, has provided the Managing Contractor with immediate in-person access to key members of the project team, while also being a conduit to our subject matter experts —further strengthening the delivery team and enhancing responsiveness across all phases of the project.

Innovative solutions to unique challenges

Our team is addressing several unique key requirements through innovative engineering and design strategies: 

• Whole-of-life assessments and the incorporation of solar and renewable energy solutions to support sustainable electrical infrastructure
• Acoustics incorporated into every building to address considerations around noise
• Addressing the inconsistent nature of the use of facilities in a remote location, ensuring systems are easily maintainable
• Complex hydraulics infrastructure that is operable in a remote location
• Obtaining the technical approvals for the design services, under necessary Australian and Defence-specific standards
• Early engagement and collaboration across 14 work packages to meet Environmental consulting/approvals and Environmentally Sustainable Design/Whole of Life targets