The Australian government has taken the next step in establishing a consolidated defence precinct at Henderson to support sovereign shipbuilding and sustainment in Western Australia. Bechtel Infrastructure Australia (Bechtel) has been appointed as the design services consultancy to undertake master planning of the defence precinct. Bechtel will provide specialist infrastructure design advice and work with a range of stakeholders to create the plan.
In 2024, the government announced $127 million to progress planning for the defence precinct. Last year, the Albanese Government backed this commitment with an additional $12 billion to support the delivery phase for the long-term development of the defence precinct. This contract is the next step in realising these investments in the west. The defence precinct will play a vital role in securing continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment in Australia, delivering critical capabilities for the Australian Defence Force, and contributing to the support of about 10,000 direct jobs in the west over the next two decades.
The defence precinct will include:
- Construction facilities for the Royal Australian Army’s landing craft and Australia’s future Mogami‑class frigates following successful consolidation of the Henderson precinct;
- Support infrastructure for conventional submarines and surface combatant vessels;
- Contingency docking capabilities for Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines; and
- Depot-level maintenance capabilities.
Planning and feasibility studies have already commenced and will continue throughout 2026. Establishment of the defence precinct will occur over the next decade to align with defence capability needs and minimise disruption to local industry and communities. Alongside the government’s record investments across shipbuilding and AUKUS in the west, these commitments will support 10,000 direct jobs over the next two decades as well as providing opportunities for small and medium sized businesses across the state.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “Awarding this contract moves us closer to making the Henderson Defence Precinct the home of continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment, and a critical sustainment site for our future submarine capability. The master planning stage is an important step in shaping the defence precinct’s future capability needs and supporting a strong, sovereign industrial base. This contract reflects our commitment to partnering with industry to build a smarter, faster and more innovative maritime capability hub. Input and insights from industry and other stakeholders will lay the groundwork for defence industrial depth and long-term national resilience.”
WA Minister for Defence Industry Paul Papalia said: “The Cook Government welcomes the appointment of Bechtel Infrastructure Australia to complete master planning of the Henderson Defence Precinct. This project will support thousands of highly skilled jobs and ensure Western Australia is home to the largest naval maintenance hub in the southern hemisphere. The WA Government is working closely with the Albanese Government to help local industry and workers to take advantage of the enormous opportunities this investment will create.”
Richard Freer, Managing Director, public infrastructure Australia for Bechtel, said: “Together with our partners Architectus, Aurecon, WSP and H&B Defence, Bechtel is delighted to be supporting the Australian Government in taking the next step forward in development of the Henderson Defence Precinct Program. We bring experience from our 70-year history working in Australia, together with decades of involvement in naval and nuclear programs for the United States and United Kingdom governments, to this program that is critical for the future expansion of the Royal Australian Navy.”
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected]
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]
Any addition to Australian Defence Capability is welcome but I still have concerns that Henderson is the right location for the Project. It seems to me that it is a putting all your eggs in one basket strategy and if your going to do that, it makes sense to put it as far away from the possibility of attack as you can. Being well aware that an adversary could probably hit you anywhere, I would have selected South Australia or any of the Eastern States as the preferred site, there are benefits to amalgamating all you assets into one facility so maybe this will be okay but I personally would have spread the Ship Building around at smaller but more numerous sites.
But we have separated the building and maintenance sites between Osborne and Henderson. There are minor shipbuilders in Tasmania (Incat) and NSW (Birdon) also. Eventually an east coast Submarine base will need a co-located maintenance facility as well. The tyranny of distance works both ways, southern and eastern facilities are further from harms reach, but any vessel repaired is also far from the fight. Imagine a Australian warship damaged in the Indian Ocean trying to protect the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, it might not be able to make the journey to the SE Australia coast. Also keep in mind the full time presence of USN submarines at FBW means the surrounding area will be well protected by the presence of a Patriot Battery and other defensive systems.
I have thought about that Robbo but maintenance facilities on the West Coast is a bit different to the Major Construction Facilitates that the Albanese Government seems to be heading is another matter. By not dispersing the construction work across the Nation it will lessen the ability to ( Ship Workers will go where the work is) do anything but minor projects in the future. As you say, a few small to medium ship building yards exist but they need more involvement in the Major Shipbuilding Enterprise, being thrown a few bones isn’t enough. As for the presence of the USN, they will only defend when they are threatened. Last I checked Henderson isn’t doing any work for the U.S.