ANOTHER milestone in the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer program was reached last week, with ASC starting construction of its $100 million dollar shipyard upgrade.
Deputy Premier Kevin Foley officiated at Tuesday’s sod-turning at Osborne — marking the start of work on Australia’s most modern and high-tech shipbuilding facility.
Mr Foley said the event was a key milestone for ASC and the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Program.
“The $8 billion AWD project will transform the South Australian economy and lead to the creation of more than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs — with 350 jobs in this construction project alone,” Foley said.
“The construction of ASC’s new shipyard by managing contractor Hansen Yuncken will go a long way to help achieve these goals and I congratulate ASC on this momentous occasion.
The new shipyard, due for completion at the end of next year, represents ASC’s biggest infrastructure program since the establishment of the Collins Class submarine facility in 1987.
It will include dedicated AWD production facilities, new office accommodation for 400 employees, a wharf support building including workshops, and a significant upgrade of existing facilities.
Foley said the State Government realises the importance of this project to the State’s economy and has invested nearly $400 million to build a world-class shipbuilding hub in Techport Australia, also at Osborne.
“It includes common user shipbuilding facilities, a Maritime Skills Centre, AWD Systems Centre, and a fully integrated industrial precinct for suppliers,” Foley said.
“The State Government is working closely with ASC and the Commonwealth Government to provide on-site trade and technical skills training in support of the AWD project, with overflow capacity available for third party users.
“There is no doubt that the AWD project will be complex to deliver and I am delighted to see such great collaboration, particularly between ASC and the South Australian Government,” Mr Foley says.
“This is evidence of business and Government working hand in hand to get the job done.”
ASC Managing Director Mr Greg Tunny said the South Australian Government’s support of ASC in its role as shipbuilder for the Air Warfare Destroyer Program has been invaluable.
“When you combine our shipyard upgrade with the work being carried out by the Government for Techport Australia’s Common User Facility, it adds up to nearly half a billion dollars worth of investment in the future of naval shipbuilding in this State,” Tunny explained.
“This investment will see us be able to carry out the complex work associated with building three air warfare destroyers at the most modern and high-tech shipbuilding precinct in the country.”
“We look forward to a long and healthy partnership with the South Australian Government to ensure that Techport Australia remains the nation’s premier naval shipbuilding hub, with ASC as the anchor tenant.”