More than one and a half years ago, the decision was decision to merge the troops stationed in Villach, the engineer battalionPioneer Battalion 1 from the Rohr and Hensel barracks and Command Support Battalion 1 from the Lutschounig barracks, into a new large barracks. Around 370 million euros will be invested in the construction of Austria’s most modern barracks – the ground-breaking ceremony has now taken place.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner said: “On the part of the Austrian Armed Forces (-> here you can find the latest army news), special attention is being paid to a sustainable, ecological, environmentally friendly and environmentally compatible approach in the realization of this major project. As part of our ‘Mission Forward’, we want to be an attractive employer and provide our soldiers and civilian staff with the best possible conditions to carry out their duties. With the construction of these barracks, we are taking a big step in the right direction. And it is good that we can now invest more thanks to the increased budgetary possibilities. This will not only strengthen the barracks location, but also the entire region and the regional economy.”
The budget increase makes it possible to make additional investments. These range from equipment as a security island, the construction of a mine detection hall, a bridge-laying pit and a folding road training area to the construction of workshops, garages and warehouses. The new large barracks will be divided into functional districts. This is a reaction to the already built-up surroundings of the barracks. The residential and sports district will be established in the existing residential area of Obere Fellach and the staff district as well as the garage and workshop district will be located towards the Drau. On the one hand, this will keep vehicle noise away from the residential area and, on the other hand, provide a traffic connection away from the residential area. The renaming of the Windisch barracks in Klagenfurt to Georg Goëss barracks took place in advance as part of the “Carinthia Day” of Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. The ceremony was attended by the widow of the namesake, Veronika Goëss, among others. The laudatory speech was given by Georg Hoffmann, Director of the Museum of Military History.
