THE developers will just have to wait … Campbell Barracks is not on the market.
The Department of Defence has scotched rumours about a new SAS base in South Australia, claiming there are no plans to move the SAS or sell off Campbell Barracks.
Defence Estate Organisation manager infrastructure WA Wing Commander Alan Griffiths said talk of the SAS relocating and any redevelopment of the land was a total rumour and fabrication.
“Sometimes these things develop a life of their own,” Mr Griffiths said. “There are no plans to move the SAS, that’s not to say that it won’t happen 20 years down the track.”
It is understood the first parcel of land in Swanbourne was acquired by the Defence Force in about 1911.
A spokesperson for the Department of Defence in Canberra echoed Mr Griffiths’ comments.
“At this point it’s just a rumour. We’ve checked it out on every level and on every level we’ve drawn a blank,” the spokesperson said.
The land occupied by Campbell Barracks in Swanbourne would afford residents of any residential development multi-million dollar views of the Indian Ocean.
Australia Defence Association executive director Michael O’Connor was unaware of any rumours regarding a new base for the SAS.
“They may be thinking of selling the barracks in Swanbourne because it’s on prime land,” Mr O’Connor said.
“An SAS base is really just a bit of accommodation and a training area.
“To be honest I wouldn’t regard it as a significant issue.”