The City of Cockburn welcomes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s significant AUKUS announcement today and a $6b investment in the nation’s defence capability and workforce over the next four years.
Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said while the City acknowledged a $1b investment in Western Australia as part of the announcement, he said the City was keen to see further details on infrastructure investments at Henderson, the state’s premier shipbuilding and maritime precinct.
“This is a historic and significant national program which the City has been anticipating, given Henderson’s vital role in the sustainment of naval vessels, including the homeported Collins class submarines,” Mayor Howlett said.
“We have been actively advocating for significant investment in the area to facilitate future defence needs, particularly following the March 2022 announcement of a $4.3m dry dock project for Henderson by the previous federal government.
“We urge Prime Minister Albanese and his defence ministry to provide more details on critical investment at Henderson which is essential to maintain the new submarine fleet and other military vessels, plus civilian and commercial projects here in the west.
“The City is a strong advocate of defence investment and is leading the way by establishing a Blue Innovation Hub in Henderson in collaboration with locally-based defence industries and the State Government Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.”
Between 2027 and 2032, an additional 500 direct jobs are expected to be created to sustain the Submarine Rotational Force-West US and UK presence in WA.
“The Henderson area is a significant employer of Cockburn residents and supporter of other local, Perth and WA businesses, many with strong links to the area’s blossoming Blue Economy, including thriving defence industries,” Mayor Howlett said.
“The City awaits further announcements that will impact sustainment infrastructure development at Henderson with a positive knock-on effect for other local industrial and commercial zones including the Australian Marine Complex, Latitude 32 and the Jandakot City industrial airport precinct.
Increased visits from US submarines are anticipated from as early as 2023, followed by UK submarines from 2026, rotations of both from 2027, the delivery of three US Virginia class submarines from the early 2030s, UK submarines in the late 2030s and the delivery of Australian-built submarines from the early 2040s.