{
"headline": "Closing old bases, strengthening new ones: Australia redraws its Defence estate", "subhead": "October 21, 2026",
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{
"text": "Stantec’s Tony Rogers, Leigh McDonald, and Nick Glasson discuss how closing old Defence bases can strengthen new ones with Defence Connect"
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{
"text": "
Australia’s Defence estate is entering a period of major change as the Australian Defence Force reconsiders not only the infrastructure it needs, but where those facilities should be located.
The government’s decision to divest 68 surplus or underutilised Defence sites is one part of a broader shift towards consolidating Defence activities, modernising ageing facilities, and strengthening bases considered increasingly important to Australia’s future defence needs.
For an estate spanning approximately 3.5 million hectares and incorporating barracks, training areas, airfields, and specialist facilities, this presents a significant infrastructure challenge.
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{
"headline": "Closing old bases, strengthening new ones: Australia redraws its Defence estate",
"contactLabel": "Contact",
"authors": [
{
"promotionalImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/people\/r\/tony\u002Drogers\u002Dbw.jpg",
"personFirstName": "Antony (Tony)",
"personLastName": "Rogers",
"mappedPromoText": "Tony brings over two decades’ experience in military and consulting environments to lead complex infrastructure projects for the Australian Department of Defence. He uses bespoke procurement approaches across multiple, geographically separated sites.",
"contactEmail": "tony.rogers@stantec.com"
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{
"promotionalImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/people\/m\/leigh\u002Dmcdonald\u002Dbw.jpg",
"personFirstName": "Leigh",
"personLastName": "McDonald",
"mappedPromoText": "Based in Melbourne, Leigh is the geosciences business leader. In his position, he oversees the project delivery workflow and provides technical expertise on complex issues and sensitive risk management profiles.",
"contactEmail": "leigh.mcdonald@stantec.com"
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{
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"personFirstName": "Nick",
"personLastName": "Glasson",
"mappedPromoText": "Nick provides civil engineering expertise in land development and planning for masterplanned communities.",
"contactEmail": "nick.glasson@stantec.com"
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}
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