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February 4, 2026 — 2:38pm
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Two of Western Australia’s most historic military sites and two regional rifle ranges will be sold under a national fire sale of defence assets to raise money for base upgrades and new equipment.
Irwin Barracks in Karrakatta, Leeuwin Barracks in East Fremantle, the Karratha Dampier Rifle Range, and the Coolilup Rifle Range in the South West have joined a list of 63 other military sites around the country earmarked for divestment by the Commonwealth.
Leeuwin Barracks in East Fremantle.ADFCollectively, Irwin and Leeuwin barracks house fewer than 250 defence personnel, though about 1150 reserves and 250 cadets operate out of Irwin.
All personnel from Irwin and Leeuwin will relocate to Palmer Barracks in South Guildford. At the same time, defence will investigate the possibility of relocating the Irwin cadets to a nearby school or community venue.
The divestment program was recommended by an audit of the country’s defence property portfolio, which the Commonwealth has sat on since it was handed down in 2023.
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The 15-hectare Leeuwin barracks site, which was built in 1941 as a Navy depot, has been earmarked for sale since 2015, but that process was halted during the audit.
The site sits on prime riverfront land, and the Town of East Fremantle has been eagerly awaiting defence’s decision.
The sale of the 67 properties is expected to net the Commonwealth up to $3 billion.
“For many years this has not been the case, with many Defence sites vacant, decaying, underutilised and costing millions of dollars to maintain. That is why the Albanese Government is undertaking the most significant reform to the Defence estate in Australia’s history,” Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
Irwin Barracks also houses the Royal Australian Historical Society of WA and is home to two Commonwealth heritage-listed buildings.
Defence suggested it could move the society to the Army Museum of WA at Artillery Barracks in Fremantle.
“The heritage value of these properties does not belong to the Australian Army or, for that matter, the Australian Defence Force. It belongs to the Australian people,” Marles said.
“And right now, the Australian people are prevented from seeing these properties; they exist behind a defence wall.”
WA Defence Industries and Veterans Minister Paul Papalia flagged Palmer Barracks would need upgrades to accommodate the influx of staff.
“Irwin and Leeuwin Barracks are home to the vast majority of WA’s Army units,” he said.
“It is essential that facilities at Palmer Barracks are expanded and made fit for purpose to accommodate our Army units in advance of any sale of land.”
Former SAS commander and Canning Liberal MP Andrew Hastie lashed the Albanese government for the sale in Parliament on Wednesday.
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“Labor is selling off important bases like Irwin Barracks in Perth. Home to the 13th brigade and the heart and soul of our army brigade in the west,” he said.
“The Albanese government are not stewards. They are wreckers and they are wrecking our inheritance.
“They are pushing our fighting men and women and their families further away from the cities that we depend upon for the recruitment of our soldiers, sailors and airmen. Why? For money. It’s all about money.
“That’s why I say again, shame on the Albanese government for its shameless and foolish decision. These bases belong to the Australian people. Why do you think you have the right to sell them off?”
The North West Defence Alliance, made up of Pilbara and Kimberley councils, welcomed the announcement on the proviso that some of the spoils find their way to the North West to improve defence assets at RAAF Learmonth and RAAF Curtin.
“The whole northwest coastline, which is vast and vulnerable, is what we’re actively wanting defence to put a focus on,” alliance head Matt Niikkula said.
“Let’s relocate some of these trainees, some of these people, and actively get more personnel into the region.”
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Hamish Hastie is WAtoday's state political reporter and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Prize for best political journalism.Connect via X or email.From our partners