Land swap clears way for n-sub construction yard

Australia is a step closer to building conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines after the Australian and South Australian governments reached agreement on a land exchange for the new submarine construction yard at Osborne in Adelaide.

The land for the yard, to employ up to 4,000 workers at its peak, will progressively move to the ownership of the government’s Australian Naval Infrastructure from December 2023.

Land will also be secured for the Skills and Training Academy that will educate and train Australia’s elite submarine and naval shipbuilding workforce.

The exchange will see the state acquire Defence-owned land at Keswick and Smithfield in Adelaide for urban development, as well as part of the Cultana Training Area north of Whyalla which is earmarked for hydrogen and renewable energy projects.

Work at the Osborne submarine construction yard will begin this year as the design is developed, before commencing the build of our first SSN-AUKUS submarines in the late 2020s.

According to ANI, works to get underway this year are ‘preliminary enabling works’ that will optimise access routes and traffic flows around the site.

“The relocation of above and below ground utilities will ensure that future developments are safe and unimpeded whilst maintaining provision of power to the Osborne Naval Shipyards and surrounds.”

ANI built and owns the Osborne Naval Shipyard south of the submarine construction site where Hunter class frigates are under construction by BAE Systems Australia, the site of ASC which is maintaining the Collins class submarines and common user facilities.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “This historic agreement is a significant milestone in transforming Osborne into one of the most advanced technical hubs in the world.

“Osborne is key to Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine enterprise and I congratulate and thank South Australia for being such a great partner as we continue to work together to deliver the necessary infrastructure and skills.

“The future Skills and Training Academy at Osborne will provide Australian workers with the advanced skills and training required to deliver a world-leading future submarine capability.”

Picture: Australian Naval Infrastructure/Osborne Naval Shipyard with submarine yard site at right