UTAS and Federal Gov’t sign agreement for new Defence and Maritime Innovation Precinct

Hundreds of jobs are expected to be created after UTAS signed an agreement with the Federal Government to develop a new Defence and Maritime Innovation Precinct in Launceston. Details >>

Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Waller arrives in Hobart. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

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UNIVERSITY of Tasmania and the Federal Government have signed an agreement to develop a new Defence and Maritime Innovation and Design Precinct at Launceston’s Newnham campus.

The precinct was a key election commitment for Tasmania in the Liberal Party’s 2019 campaign.

The project is expected to create “hundreds of jobs for Tasmanians”.

Defence minister Linda Reynolds said the agreement between Defence and UTAS outlined a three year program which would expand the capability of the Australian Maritime College (AMC).

“This new precinct will foster maritime-specific solutions as well as a broad range of science and technology capabilities, drawing academics from across the country to support defence science and technology,” she said.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said it was critical that the skills, talents and expertise of the “entire innovation network” were harnessed to deliver the best possible outcomes for Defence and Australia.

“Launceston has long been considered a hub of excellence in maritime engineering and innovation,” Ms Price said.

“This development will help preserve the AMC’s role as our national maritime institute, ensuring the needs of both civil and Defence maritime industrial sectors are served.”

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff during question time in state parliament. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Tasmanian Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries Jeremy Rockliff

welcomed the agreement and said the precinct would feed into the design, build and sustainment of Australia’s future naval fleets.

“The first tranche of funding from the Commonwealth Government is now flowing, with the $30 million investment upgrading AMC’s facility to position Tasmania as a drawcard for major Defence primes and government organisations,” he said.

Federal Member for Bass, Bridget Archer MP, said the partnership shows a significant investment in Tasmania and the continued expansion of UTAS.

“This will create nearly 60 local jobs during the construction program and it’s estimated the initiative will create over 150 new jobs in the region each year,” Mrs Archer said.