On 24 August the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments announced the site for the new Defence Precinct at Henderson. This precinct will undertake naval shipbuilding and sustainment.
The site layout includes the preferred location for the Commonwealth Government’s naval shipbuilding and sustainment activities, and for the sustainment of Australia’s future conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, representing an important milestone in the delivery of AUKUS.
The Defence Precinct at Henderson is where critical maritime capabilities for the Australian Defence Force will be built, including Navy’s future general purpose frigates and Army’s Landing Craft.
The selection of the site has been informed by technical analysis and thorough engagement between the two governments, local industry and workers, traditional owners, and local community groups.
The Defence media release stated that,
“All of this is underpinned by billions of dollars of investment in Defence capabilities and infrastructure in the West being made by the Albanese Government, including an initial $12 billion funding commitment to deliver the Defence Precinct, announced in September 2025. Alongside the Albanese Government’s record investments across shipbuilding and AUKUS, these commitments will support around 10,000 direct jobs over the next two decades in Western Australia.
The program to deliver the Defence Precinct will now progress into a concept design phase, which will see further engagement between the federal and state governments, local industry, technical design and planning partners, and other key stakeholders.
The Albanese and Cook Governments are committed to minimising potential impacts to local business operations, including non-Defence industry, as they work together to deliver this important national endeavour, and its opportunities for Western Australia and the nation.”
Source: ADF
