Defence Minister Richard Marles says the total cost of the new Henderson defence precinct infrastructure is yet to be determined.A multi-billion dollar defence precinct is being created at Henderson shipyard which Defence Minister Richard Marles has described as "the most significant defence industry offering to Western Australia since federation".
The Commonwealth today announced it would invest $127 million over the next three years for initial works, including feasibility studies and a detailed design.Rockingham residents express alarm at the prospect of a radioactive waste facility at HMAS Stirling naval base on Garden Island. The defence precinct will be established at the southern end of the shipyard and will be used to build new landing craft for the Australian army and new general purpose frigates for the Navy.After eight years of lobbying by the WA government, the Commonwealth has also agreed maintenance of the country's future nuclear-powered submarines, as part of the AUKUS defence agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom, will occur at Henderson.
"This particular industry will rival the resources industry as one of our main areas for economic growth, for economic activity and for employment," the premier said. The feasibility studies and detailed design will determine how many dry docks are necessary and the total cost.The Henderson agreement builds on an announcement in March committing $8 billion to expand the HMAS Stirling Naval base, in nearby Rockingham, which will be home to Australia's nuclear propelled AUKUS submarines, the US Virginia class, from the early 2030s.
"And what you'll see created here are jobs that will last into the future, generation after generation,' Mr Cook said.