The Defence West Infrastructure Development Team is committed to supporting the growth of the State's defence industry to diversify the economy and create jobs through supporting the nation's current and emerging security needs.
The Defence Strategic Review (DSR) released in April 2023, identified several objectives, including, upgrading and developing our northern network of bases and leveraging the capabilities offered by local and state governments, industry, and academic infrastructure facilities. It also noted the critical role of the Australian Marine Complex in naval shipbuilding and and sustainment.
The Western Australian Government has developed the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) Strategic Infrastructure and Land Use Plan (SILUP) to identify the short-, medium- and long-term upgrades required to guide the AMC's development as a nationally significant industrial area for the defence, marine and resource sectors.
By collaborating across State and Australian governments, Defence West have assisted in the delivery of infrastructure developments at the AMC, including the work that led to the recent commitment by the Australian Government to invest in large vessel infrastructure.
A State-wide Defence Infrastructure Strategy (SDIS) will provide the opportunity for the State to develop infrastructure. SDIS will leverage off the demand for defence capability in Western Australia seeking to identify and analyse infrastructure opportunities.
Fast-tracked infrastructure projects
Show moreAs a part of the WA Recovery Plan, launched in July 2020, the AMC was recognised as a nationally significant area for the defence, marine and resources sectors. Four critical infrastructure upgrades were identified:
- The design and construction of an upgraded vessel transfer path within the AMC's Common User Facility (CUF), to support the transfer of vessels up to the size of future Hunter-class frigates from the floating dock, across the CUF, and up to the CIVMEC Shipbuilding Hall. The vessel transfer path was completed in April 2023.
- The design and construction of an extension to the existing AMC 1 wharf supports the sustainment of ANZAC-class frigates and enables the in-water commissioning of the Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessels. The additional design of a finger wharf running perpendicular to AMC 1 wharf has created two additional berths, both of which are capable of supporting Collins class submarine sustainment work.
- Intersection upgrades within the AMC were completed in May 2023 and improved traffic flows and safety for the AMC workforce. These upgrades will also prepare the roads within the AMC for increased traffic and further upgrades that will take place within the AMC in light of the AUKUS announcement and the DSR. The upgrades were made at the following intersections:
- Cockburn Road/Quill Way (North)
- Cockburn Road/Russell Road
- Cockburn Road/Quill Way (South)
- A new commercial shipbuilding hall is currently under construction within the Northern Common User facility.
Large Vessel Dry Berth
Show moreA new Large Vessel Dry Berth capability will support Defence’s future build and sustainment program of large hull vessels of the Royal Australian Navy, and has the potential to support Allied navies as well as commercial vessels if and when not required by Defence.
As highlighted in the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) the AMC currently plays a crucial role in naval sustainment and is a critical enabler for Australia's naval shipbuilding and maintenance industry.
Defence West is working closely with the Australian Government to deliver the large vessel infrastructure as its importance as a critical enabler for the construction and sustainment of larger naval vessels in Western Australia is recognised by both the State and the Commonwealth.
Australian Marine Complex Planning Studies
Show moreThrough an agreement between the Department of Defence and the Western Australian Government, up to $9 million in Australian Government funding is being provided over the 2020–21 and 2021–22 financial years to undertake planning studies at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC).
State-wide Defence Infrastructure Strategy (SDIS)
Show moreThe Western Australian Government is developing the State-wide Defence Infrastructure Strategy 2023 (SDIS) to enable increased activity by the Department of Defence in WA.
SDIS aims to grow and improve infrastructure assets in WA. In particular, strategic infrastructure that is multi-purpose and multi-user, with a shared relationship with Defence. The strategy will also deliver projects or services, including defence exercises.
Current focus areas include remote operations, robotics and automation. WA is the world-leader in remote operations thanks to our world-leading resources industry, and has significant expertise in remote asset management, autonomous operations, robotics, AI, remote sensing and systems integration.
Western Australia encourages industry, defence, government agencies and universities to contribute to SDIS, aiding to identify under-used infrastructure or land to propose projects to support Australia's defence.
Building Western Australia's Defence Industry – Australian Marine Complex (AMC) Infrastructure Strategy
Show moreThe Defence Industry Australian Marine Complex Infrastructure Strategy strategy outlines a vision to double the value of the state’s defence industry to $6 billion a year by 2030 – providing a pipeline of work for Western Australia and supporting thousands of local jobs.
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