Groundbreaking in WA on the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in Australia.
The WA Government has entered into a lease agreement with local construction and engineering company Civmec, which will create 1,000 new jobs and 100 apprenticeships for West Australians. Attending a groundbreaking ceremony in Henderson on 16th December, Premier Colin Barnett said Civmec had entered into a long-term lease with the State to build an $80 million world-class naval shipbuilding and sustainment facility next to its current fabrication plant.
Mr Barnett said the 60-metre high facility would be the biggest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in Australia. “Civmec already employs 1,500 people nationally and the new facility will deliver the capacity to provide additional jobs for up to 1,000 workers, as well as up to 100 additional apprenticeships and graduate positions,” the Premier said. “The significant capital investment by Civmec to develop these facilities is an example of the confidence local industry has in Western Australia’s future.”
Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the new facility could also provide the Federal Department of Defence and Royal Australian Navy with a significant level of capability through provision of infrastructure, which would enable future shipbuilding and sustainability in support of the Navy’s fleet. “The main fabrication lot will be 205 metres in length and 130 metres in width, and is a major investment in capability at Henderson – one of the two sites chosen by the Australian Government to implement its commitment to continuous build of naval surface ships,” Mr Mischin said. Civmec is vying for a role in the Federal Government’s $89 billion naval program.
Both the Western Australian private and public sectors have invested heavily to build capability in naval shipbuilding, repair and maintenance, upgrade and through-life sustainment. As a result, the State has a local defence industry that is internationally competitive and innovative, and ready to take on a greater role in defence industry programs.”
For more information, visit https://news.wa.gov.au/defencestrategy
Photo: Photo (L to R): Mr. James Fitzgerald (Executive Chairman of Civmec), Hon. Colin Barnett (Premier for Western Australia), Mr. Patrick Tallon (CEO of Civmec) and Mr. Mike Deeks CSC (Managing Director of Forgacs Marine and Defence).