WA defence precinct to deliver continuous naval shipbuilding

The federal government will establish a consolidated Commonwealth-owned Defence Precinct at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard to underpin continuous naval shipbuilding and nuclear submarine maintenance and support in the order of 10,000 well-paid, high-skilled local jobs.

The government will make an initial investment of $127 million over three years to progress planning, consultations, preliminary design and feasibility studies as well as enabling works for the Defence Precinct at Henderson.

This builds on the government’s announcement last year of a strategic partnership between Defence and shipbuilder Austal at Henderson.

It also represents a major milestone on the AUKUS pathway as Australia develops the capability to safely and securely own, operate and sustain conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines, according to the government.

The precinct will incorporate common user facilities open to other companies, with the new studies to inform future decisions on the precinct to be built at Henderson.

The Defence Precinct will support the build of new landing craft for the Australian Army and new general purpose frigates for the Navy, with requisite large vessel infrastructure to form part of the precinct.

The Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said: “Successful consolidation of the Henderson precinct will secure decades of continuous shipbuilding in Western Australia, providing generational benefits for locals who play a vital role in keeping Australia safe.

“This investment by the Albanese Government will not only create thousands of high-skilled and well paid jobs in Western Australia but also ensures a future made in Australia.”

The government has also determined that the Defence Precinct at Henderson will be the home of depot-level maintenance and contingency docking for Australia’s future conventionally‑armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

Contingency and depot-level maintenance alone will create around 3,000 jobs in Western Australia.

The government has previously committed $8 billion to expand the HMAS Stirling naval base south of Perth.

The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said: “The Albanese Government’s commitment to the Defence Precinct at Henderson is a game changer for WA industry – it will create thousands of jobs for West Australians and underpin billions of dollars of investment in defence capability in the West.

“Henderson already plays a critical role in the delivery and sustainment of Australian Defence Force capabilities and this will see the important role of WA industry grow further.”

Further reading:
Defence ensures future of Austal and its Henderson shipyard
Civmec and Austal join forces for landing ship bid

Image: Defence/Henderson shipyard