Henderson Defence Precinct expansion positions Perth as submarine sustainment hub

The Henderson Defence Precinct south of Perth will receive $1.8 billion in federal investment to expand its naval sustainment capabilities, positioning it as the primary servicing and maintenance hub for Australia's Collins-class submarine fleet and a future facility for elements of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program that require west coast-based support.

The Henderson investment includes new dry dock facilities capable of accommodating multiple submarines simultaneously, expanded maintenance workshops meeting the requirements for nuclear-qualified maintenance teams, enhanced cybersecurity and secure communications infrastructure throughout the precinct, and improved workforce accommodation and training facilities for the specialist personnel the expanded program requires.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Henderson was an essential complement to the Adelaide-based construction and east coast-based operational capability, providing the west coast presence that Australia's strategic posture in the Indian Ocean required. "Our submarines need to be able to operate from and be serviced on both coasts. Henderson is the foundation of our western capability," he said.

The investment will create approximately 1,400 construction jobs during the build phase and 520 permanent operational positions in defence contracting and government roles once complete. The WA government and the City of Cockburn have been working with the precinct's operators and the Department of Defence on a housing and amenity program to attract and retain the specialised workforce in the Henderson-Cockburn catchment.

Australian Marine Complex director Peter Doyle said Henderson's existing capabilities in defence, commercial, and energy sector maritime maintenance put it in a strong position to expand rapidly with Commonwealth investment behind it. "We already have the culture and the skills. This investment gives us the scale," he said.

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