The Federal Government has scrapped funding for a new facility to house the Australian Army Tank Museum at Puckapunyal.
The tank museum houses one of the largest collections of historic tanks, armoured vehicles and other military memorabilia in Australia.
Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite said the ‘difficult decision’ had been made to cancel the Puckapunyal Combined Arms Heritage and Learning Centre following recommendations defence reprioritise investments.
Mr Thistlethwaite wrote to Mitchell Shire Council last week to inform them of the decision following a defence strategic review.
“I appreciate there is significant local interest in this project and that the community will be disappointed in the decision,” he said.
Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell said he was ‘very disappointed’ the committed $44 million was pulled.
“It sends a message of ‘we don’t really care about [Seymour]’ which is a terrible message to send,” he said.
“The veterans who live around the Seymour and Puckapunyal areas really wanted this project to go ahead as a way for them to contribute to a tourist attraction but also give them something to focus on after their service. They’re very disappointed by this decision that has been made.
“This was set to be something celebrating our history of service, helping the veterans with a focus for them and create a tourist buzz around Seymour. All of that has been taken away which is disappointing.”
Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens said council was ‘devastated’ by the decision.
“The timing of this announcement cuts even deeper because Seymour was recently hit hard by the devastating floods,” she said.
“This is a huge letdown for the Puckapunyal, Seymour and surrounding community in particular, because of our strong and proud military presence and history.
“We see the army, past and present, as very much a respected and valued part of our community.
“The educational and recruitment component that was planned within the complex aligns perfectly with several recommendations referenced within the defence strategic review. This is another reason we don’t understanding the funding being withdrawn.
“Our proud military community deserves appropriate acknowledgement and respect from the Federal Government. They have served in many theatres of war and continue to this very day.”
The project was advanced in planning stages when funding was withdrawn.
“We have been working with local representatives of the defence force and local RSL for a considerable time with significant planning investment already undertaken and a financial allocation in place,” Cr Stevens said.
“The Puckapunyal Combined Arms Heritage and Learning Centre was shovel ready, so why would you waste this time, effort and costs and now withdraw the funds at this critical stage.”
Cr Stevens said the current museum was ‘outdated’ and ‘near impossible’ for public access.
“The decision to cancel the Puckapunyal Combined Arms Heritage and Learning Centre means the community will continue to have extremely limited access to this collection due to it being located on base. It also raises questions for the future of this collection,” she said.
“The new centre would be a national tourist attraction that would educate and benefit the wider community. We urge the Federal Government to reconsider the decision.”
Mr Birrell said the museum was an amazing historical asset not housed in a tourist-friendly area.
“It needs to be set up to display these military artifacts in a way that will be easy for people to come and view them,” he said.
“It’s a huge loss for the town. I have seen what the Shepparton Art Museum and the Museum of Vehicle Evolution has done for that city. It’s been phenomenal the people that it’s brought here and the added economic activity and general buzz among people coming here to look at it.
“I was hoping this would do that for Seymour and in a short-sighted move, it’s been pulled away so it’s really disappointing there’s that lost potential.”
Despite the cancellation Mr Birrell said he would continue working with stakeholders to build the museum.
“I’m going to work with the Mitchell Shire Council, the RSL and other stakeholders to see where we go from here, is there another way of getting this funded and do we have to rescope it. That’s the next step but we certainly want something there,” he said.
