What’s happening?
Military activity will increase across Queensland as the Australian Defence Force and partner nations prepare for Exercise Pozieres Run 2026.
The training activity will be conducted within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and the Townsville Field Training Area.
Why it matters?
The exercise will bring more military personnel, vehicles and equipment into parts of Queensland.
For residents near the training areas, the activity may be visible on roads, along the coast and in the air.
The Australian Defence Force has advised the community in advance so residents understand why activity may increase across affected areas.
Local Impact
Residents near Shoalwater Bay and Townsville may see more Australian and international military personnel in the region.
Military vehicle movements are expected to increase on roads, while military watercraft may operate off the coast.
There may also be loud noise linked to explosive ordnance, as well as increased aircraft activity during the exercise period.
The ADF said Exercise Pozieres Run is a routine training activity and thanked the community for its ongoing support and understanding.
By The Numbers
- Exercise Pozieres Run 2026 will run from 30 July to 23 August 2026, covering more than three weeks of Defence training activity.
- From 13 July, residents may begin seeing a larger military presence before the official exercise period starts.
- Two Queensland training areas will be used, Shoalwater Bay Training Area and Townsville Field Training Area.
Zoom In
The exercise will involve Australian Defence Force personnel, partner nations, vehicles, aircraft, equipment and military watercraft.
That means the activity may be noticed in different ways across the region. Some residents may see military vehicles on roads, while others may hear aircraft or noise linked to training.
The use of explosive ordnance may also create loud noise at times.
Zoom Out
Defence training exercises can be highly visible for nearby communities, especially when they involve personnel from Australia and partner nations.
In this case, the activity will be focused on established training areas in Queensland. The main impacts for residents are expected to be more military movement, aircraft activity, coastal watercraft activity and noise.
The ADF has described the exercise as routine and has asked for the community’s understanding throughout the period.
What To Look For Next?
Residents near Shoalwater Bay and Townsville should expect more Defence movements, aircraft activity, military watercraft and possible noise across that period.
