COMMENTARY
WEST COAST DEFENCE
INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING, PEOPLE: DEFENCE WEST BUILDS ON STATE’S STRENGTHS By Rebecca Brown,
Director-General, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Government of Western Australia
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Australian government has, through Defence West, delivered on its commitment to fasttrack maritime infrastructure projects, continued work on positioning the state as an emerging leader in defence technologies of the future, and expanded support for veterans transitioning to civilian life. WA is now on track to double the value of its defence industry to $6bn a year by 2030, thereby supporting thousands of jobs and providing a pipeline of work for West Australians well into the future.
FAST-TRACKING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS As the nation’s only Indian Ocean-facing state, WA is uniquely positioned to support the ADF and our partners in addressing the growing challenges within the Indo-Pacific, and to develop essential infrastructure. The WA government is delivering on its commitment to make sure the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) at Henderson continues to evolve as a world-class facility that will enable national and international expansion of the state’s defence, marine and resource industries. On this front, significant steps were taken over the last 12 months with the delivery of key planning documents, such as the 2020 Australian Marine Complex Strategic Infrastructure and Land Use Plan (SILUP) and the 2020 AMC Infrastructure Strategy.
Construction has almost been completed on the first of four fast-tracked infrastructure projects at the AMC, namely a new vessel transfer path, which will create better connectivity between the floating dock and shipbuilding and sustainment facilities, including ASC and Civmec. Work on the three other projects, which includes a new shipbuilding facility, a major wharf extension and upgrade, and road intersection upgrades, is also well underway. Together, the projects will create up to 600 local construction jobs. The WA government has invested more than $89m towards these critical infrastructure projects, including an additional $1.7m in the 2021-22 state budget. In conjunction with the Department of Defence, the WA government is also delivering a program of studies that will inform the next stages of infrastructure development at the AMC, in the national interest. Although the decision has been made that Collinsclass submarine full-cycle docking will remain in South Australia, the future remains promising for the AMC. Earlier this year, Defence West with DevelopmentWA undertook early market engagement to better understand market interest in the development of a large vessel dry berth at the AMC, as outlined in Defence’s 2020 Force Structure Plan. The development of a large vessel dry berth remains under consideration by the WA government.
The Australian Marine Complex is undergoing a major upgrade of its facilities, which once completed, shall enable the precinct to more effectively meet the growing demands from industry and Defence. © WA DEFENCE REVIEW. Photographer: Serge DeSilva-Ranasinghe.
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EDITION 4 • 2021-22
CAPITALISING ON COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES Over the last 12 months, Defence West continued
