Defence investment in WA infrastructure is finally picking up speed

Supporting large, modern, complex naval platforms is no easy task. Finally, the long-awaited process of developing a second hub – and far larger than Garden Island – in Western Australia is under way.

Defence Minister Richard Marles announcing the establishment of a consolidated commonwealth-owned Defence precinct at Western Australia’s Henderson Shipyard, a critical next step in delivering continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia.

Supporting large, modern, complex naval platforms is no easy task – and it has been a strategic weakness for years that only Garden Island in Sydney has had the ability to do that at scale. Finally, the long-awaited process of developing a second – and far larger – hub in Western Australia is under way.

On October 16, the federal government announced that a major new facility would be constructed at Henderson, south of Perth, to consolidate and rationalise the current mix of Defence and commercial activities into a single integrated precinct. To kick off the process, $137m will be spent during the next three years on design and early construction work.

The full cost of development – which could take a decade or more to complete – is estimated to be as high as $20bn, but even that is a rough guess until more detail is provided. The scale is larger than anything Australia has seen before: SSNs (nuclear-powered submarines) such as the USN Virginia class are 150m long, weigh about 9000 tonnes and must be treated with an elevated level of care because they include a nuclear reactor.

In addition to numerous buildings for staff and equipment, the facility looks like it will need two or three dry docks, a substantial pier for surface ships and – in the short term – a floating dock. The latter is needed as the construction of a dry dock is no easy task. They are huge concrete basins into which a ship or submarine is towed and placed over supporting blocks; a massive gate is closed and then the water is pumped out, leaving the vessel sitting in place, accessible to workers and machinery.

In parallel, another $8bn is being invested at nearby HMAS Stirling – the current home of the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins class – to prepare for the deployment of four Virginia-class submarines and possible one RN Astute-class SSN.

This begins in 2027, and explains why the new Henderson facility needs an initial floating dock because the purchase of one of these is the only way to meet an already tight facilities deadline.

In making the announcement, 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,” the Prime Minister continued.

A cynic would note that with a federal election approaching and several WA Labor seats at risk, this is handy timing for the government. Nevertheless, it has been clear for years that Australia’s naval support infrastructure has been badly lacking and this is a welcome development.

Though the facility will be government-owned, it will be run by companies such as Austal and Civmec.

Given the huge amount of Defence money to be spent on pouring concrete and designing facilities – not acquiring actual military technology for the ADF – future generations will hope that the planners have managed to achieve the right balance.