Public comment opens on HMAS Stirling works

A public comment period has commenced for interested parties to access documents and provide submissions on the Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) priority works at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia. The consultation period will run from 29 January to 14 February 2025. SRF-West is integral to Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines and ensuring Australia is sovereign ready to safely maintain, own, operate and regulate its own capability from the early 2030s. The planned priority works will upgrade maritime structures, and construct and operate a purpose built controlled industrial facility to support the maintenance of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. On 25 October 2024, Defence submitted a referral to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for the priority works under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The referral was open for public comment from 11 to 25 November 2024. This second public comment will support the environmental assessment process under the EPBC Act. SRF-West is being designed to provide the highest level of protection to our people, the public and the environment, as the home of Australia’s operational submarine capability. Priority works documents are available through the Defence website: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/infrastructure-projects/submarine-rotational-force-west-infrastructure-project. Hard copies will be available for viewing at the State Library of Western Australia and Rockingham Public Library. Notification of the public comment period will also be advertised in newspapers from 1 February 2025. The public comment period will conclude on 14 February 2025. Felix Bowman-Derrick, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Security and Estate Group said: “Defence takes its environmental obligations very seriously.” Defence has put in place a range of avoidance and mitigation measures to minimise any potential impacts of the works. The controlled action assessment will review these mitigation measures to ensure they meet requirements of the EPBC Act.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]