Land swaps clear way for Adelaide AUKUS defence plans

The federal and South Australian governments have agreed land swaps and a series of plans to smooth the way for the construction of SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines at Osborne Naval Shipyard as well as green hydrogen production facilities around the steel city of Whyalla.

The land swaps will see Adelaide’s Keswick Barracks which are close to the city’s CBD revert to the state and redeveloped for housing while state land at Osborne will now be used to expand the shipyard to the north and construct a Skills and Training Academy campus.

Marles said: “As the home of Australian nuclear-powered submarine construction, South Australia will have a vital role in delivering one of the greatest industrial endeavours Australia has undertaken.

“The Albanese Government could not want for a better partner in South Australia to deliver our next-generation nuclear-powered submarines, which will deliver jobs and benefit the economy for generations to come.”

The land swap was among a string of changes outlined in a Cooperation Agreement signed by Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, and the Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas:

• An increase in Commonwealth Supported Places to South Australia Universities over the next four years, focused on STEM disciplines in professional engineering (mechanical, electrical, chemical), computer science, mathematics, chemistry, physics, psychology and management
• The Commonwealth will allocate an additional 800 places to South Australia Universities over the next four years, with the first 200 places commencing in 2024
• Investment in research capability and infrastructure in priority disciplines in South Australia to generate a workforce close to the Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne
• Progress consideration of options for defence-related science and technology facilities in Adelaide
• A potential land exchange as well as appropriate easement and access arrangements in relation to Department of Defence owned and leased land at Cultana, to be used for hydrogen industry develpment.

The Cultana Training Area (CUTA) is Defence’s largest training area in South Australia capable of supporting full combined arms exercises. It is located approximately 370 km northwest of Adelaide.

South Australian industry will receive a major uplift as it takes its place at the forefront of one of Australia’s greatest industrial undertakings.

Malinauskas aid: “AUKUS will transform South Australia’s economy for generations, but work begins right now.

“As Premier, I am determined to seize this opportunity, which is why this agreement with the Commonwealth is so important.”

Picture: awm.gov.au/Keswick Barracks