Feds invest in naval base refresh

The federal government will pour $83 million into a suite of upgrades at the HMAS Stirling naval base in Rockingham as work wraps up on a major wharf rebuild.

The funding commitment will span 32 “minor projects” such as remediation of Parkes Wharf, tunnel maintenance and building refurbishments.

It comes as the federal government prepares to hand Oxley Wharf back over to the Department of Defence following its $52 million rebuild.

The redevelopment of Oxley Wharf, undertaken by Duratec Australia and Ertech, was commissioned to service Hunter-class frigates and Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels ordered by the Royal Australian Navy.

An extra 138 metres was added to the wharf, as well as a 25-metre-wide deck.

Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the latest projects would not hamper operations at the base.

“Construction will start in a couple of months and will run through for a period of a number of years,” he said.

“These are small infrastructure projects, but necessary for the upkeep and maintenance of the base here.

“The Oxley Wharf redevelopment that I was privileged to have a look at when I was here about a year ago is just about to be handed over to Defence.”

About 150 jobs are expected to be created by the work.