The State Government has allocated $174 million over 10 years for an infrastructure upgrade at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, which is expected to create up to 3,000 new jobs.
The State Government has allocated $174 million over 10 years for an infrastructure upgrade at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, which is expected to create up to 3,000 new jobs.
The full text of a government announcement is pasted below
A $174 million infrastructure upgrade at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson is expected to create up to 3,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
Premier Alan Carpenter said the State Government's significant new investment would build on the AMC's capabilities as the nation's premier shipbuilding, repair and maintenance facility.
Mr Carpenter said the $174 million project would include the construction of a floating dock, a new transfer system, dredging of a 17m-deep basin to accommodate the floating dock, an extension of the existing eastern wharf, site works and electricity upgrades.
"The investment in the 100m floating dock alone is expected to inject $3 billion into Western Australia's economy over the next 25 years from naval contracts, as well as up to $175 million per annum in other projects," he said.
"This massive investment sends out a clear message to the Commonwealth Government and to the naval shipbuilding industry globally, that WA has the skills, capabilities and infrastructure to do a first-rate job.
"It puts us in a very strong position in our bid for the $2 billion Amphibious Ships project for the Royal Australian Navy."
The Premier said customers such as ASC Pty Ltd had made long-term commitments to the AMC.
"ASC has committed to working at the AMC for the next 25 years," he said.
"The company is investing $35 million in maintenance and upgrade facilities at the AMC to enable it to meet contracts to service the Royal Australian Navy's Collins-class submarines based at HMAS Stirling.
"In this financial year, ASC will undertake submarine work in WA worth $49 million."
The floating dock will be used to lift and transfer submarines and ships ashore for major maintenance.
The submarines will then be moved across the wharf area on the new transfer system and into the $35 million, purpose-built ASC undercover maintenance facility.
"In addition, there is the opportunity for WA to bid for a range of other maintenance and construction projects across the marine, defence and resources sectors," Mr Carpenter said.
"This is a significant development that will help ensure the sustainability of WA's strong economy."
The floating dock will also be capable of accommodating ANZAC Frigates and commercial ship repair work and servicing our growing super-yacht industry. The oil and gas sector has also expressed an interest in utilising it for sub-sea well-head testing.
The Premier said the project costs were higher than originally expected, but this was outweighed by the benefits to WA and its future economy.
"The AMC is an integrated industrial estate servicing the defence, marine, resource and petroleum sectors with about 100 businesses located there," he said.
"It has injected more than $106 million of work into the local economy since its completion in 2003 and its ongoing expansion will be a key to ensuring WA's economic success beyond the mining boom."
Mr Carpenter announced the $174 million infrastructure upgrade at a soil-turning ceremony for the AMC's new $11 million central services facility.
Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan said the new facility was also a significant investment and an important part of the AMC's technology precinct.
"The services facility will create a central meeting and networking point for local and international representatives of the marine, defence, oil and gas sectors," Mr Logan said.
"It will enhance services for established tenants in the precinct and create a drawcard for potential tenants from around the world to call the AMC home.
"It will be the heart of the precinct; the place that brings major players together for strategic collaboration and business development activities.
"This will ensure WA is at the forefront of innovation and technology development in these sectors, creating jobs and, in turn, economic opportunities for WA."
The two-storey building will include meeting, function, business development and support services.
