Ertech to deliver Henderson wharf upgrade

Wangara-based civil contracting firm Ertech has been awarded a contract for the design and delivery of a major wharf upgrade as part of an $87.6 million revamp of Henderson’s Australian Marine Complex.

The project includes a 150-metre extension of Berth 1 and upgrades to three wharves which would facilitate additional berth capacity for all Royal Australian Navy vessels, as well as the design of a new 200-metre Finger Wharf to create two additional berths.

Those additional berths are designed to increase future capability to service submarines and larger naval vessels, including the Collins Class submarine.

As part of the contract, Ertech will undertake dredging and reclamation works.

The state government allocated $87.6 million to upgrading the complex in July last year as part of its COVID-19 recovery package and in a bid to help it secure the full-cycle docking submarine maintenance program.

If the program were to relocate from South Australia to WA, the state would become responsible for all maintenance of Australia’s Collins Class submarine fleet - a move expected to create up to 3,000 jobs.

Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia said the upgrades would help to ensure WA was well-placed to capitalise on defence opportunities going forward.