Around 160 trainee soldiers from the Royal Military College (RMC) at Duntroon, in Canberra, will complete part of their training in Goulburn in April and May, 2021.
Realistic training scenarios – including rescuing casualties, crowd control and shooting drills – will all be part of the training held at the Goulburn Cadet Depot, Salvation Army Centre and NSW Police Academy.
“As part of their training at Royal Military College Duntroon, staff cadets routinely exercise at Defence establishments around Australia, depending on the nature of the training,” said a Defence spokesperson.
“This year, locations for training include Majura Training Area, Tin Can Bay in Queensland, and Goulburn.”
The Department of Defence said it consulted with Goulburn Mulwaree Council about the training exercises.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council Mayor Bob Kirk said the Australian Army’s use of Goulburn for exercises will provide an economic boost to the city.
“It was the preference of RMC to undertake the training in Goulburn this year due to COVID-19 limiting interstate travel periodically,” he said.
“It will be a boost to our local economy while they are stationed here, and they will also be involved in Youth Week, showcasing career opportunities to our younger people.”
Goulburn locals will likely see light and heavy Defence vehicles operating around the city during the three-and-a-half week exercise, between 12 April and 6 May, 2021.
Residents may also hear the cadets practising shooting with blank-fire rounds, which do not fire live bullets but do make a loud noise.
RMC will be dropping information into the letterboxes of residents who are likely to hear noise during the exercises and those residents will have a chance to provide feedback before April.
All staff cadets and instructors taking part in the training will be required to adhere to COVID-19 requirements.