A most important point is that the RAAF refused to allow civilian controllers in their tower to provide the service. If allowed this could have been organised in the 12 month period.
One of the reasons given by the RAAF was that "warranty" would no longer apply to the equipment if AsA controllers were allowed in the tower. I kid you not- have a look at the FEB 2008 CASA Aeronautical Study on the Newcastle thread on dicksmithflyer.