Work is well underway on the $535 million facility where the navy’s new ships will be built

WORK on the $535 million redevelopment of the Osborne South shipyard is well under way, in preparation to build the navy’s new frigates.

WORK on the $535 million redevelopment of the Osborne South shipyard is well under way, in preparation to build the navy’s new frigates.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said earthworks at the site had already been completed, and the giant halls where the frigates will be built would start to take shape towards the end of this year.

Senator Cormann and Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne will on Friday release new details of the redevelopment.

Up to 600 workers will be involved in the building project, which must be completed in time for work to start on the frigates in 2020.

The redeveloped shipyard, featuring robot welders, will be the centre of the Federal Government’s ambitious naval surface shipbuilding programs.

Senator Cormann said square-section structural steel had been ordered from Whyalla and NSW for the fabrication of the assembly halls, which would be 55 metres tall.

The construction of massive assembly halls will soon be underway as part of the Osborne South Naval Shipyard redevelopment.

“During March 2018, steel deliveries to fabrication yards within Adelaide started, with prefabricated sections due to arrive on site from July,” Senator Cormann said.

“Above-ground structural erection work is scheduled to commence early in the fourth quarter of 2018.”

At least 75 per cent of the steel used in the redevelopment will be Australian.

About $110 million worth of work has been awarded to South Australian-based subcontractors.

Mr Pyne said 55,000 cubic metres of concrete would be placed into the foundations of the halls.

The project is being overseen by the Government-owned Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI).

“Approximately 100 construction staff are currently working on site, and ANI estimates this number will peak at up to 400 in 2019,” Mr Pyne said. “Earthworks subcontractor McMahon Services Australia completed site preparation earthworks in early April.”

An even bigger redevelopment will be undertaken at Osborne to build the factory for the 12 Future Submarines.

The submarine construction hall will be bigger than Adelaide Oval.

The Government is expected to announce a preferred tenderer for the design and build of the nine frigates before the end of June.

Britain’s BAE, Italy’s Fincantieri and Spanish company Navantia have been short-listed for the project.