Reports the Scottsdale defence base will close down and a “significant” number of jobs will be cut have been denied by the federal government.
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Instead, The Defence Science and Technology Group facility is seeking two additional full-time workers for its food research department and “one full-time equivalent position” will be lost from the ration pack production area.
Currently, there are six full-time workers in that production area.
“Claims Defence is planning to close the DST Scottsdale site are wrong,” a Department of Defence spokesperson said.
“Two full-time food research positions have recently been advertised that will increase that team’s capabilities in the area of food science.
“The number of contractors working in the production of specialised light-weight meals has been reduced by the equivalent of one full-time position due to reduced demand for these products by the Australian Defence Force.”
Given the reports, Bass Labor MHR Ross Hart and federal Opposition Defence spokesman Richard Marles had planned to write to federal Defence Minister Marise Payne on Thursday to outline their concern.
In 2016, Senator Payne travelled to Tasmania to announce a $7.2 million investment to improve troop rations produced at the facility.
Two years earlier, an $18 million redevelopment of the centre was completed.
Mr Hart said given previous commitments, there should be “no argument about the importance of the centre”.
“Scottsdale should be the nucleus of local supply to the Defence Force,” he said.
Dorset mayor Greg Howard said any job loss was disappointing for the community.
“In a rural area, every single job is valuable,” he said.