A major defence facility which will create hundreds of jobs in Adelaide’s north and reinforce South Australia’s reputation as the defence state has reached a key milestone, with the search to build the nation-leading project now underway.
A development partner is being sought to construct the Deeper Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) at Penfield, after Renewal SA launched an Expression of Interest process this week.
The purpose-built facility is expected to deliver 450 full time construction jobs per year during the build, and up to 160 ongoing defence jobs in highly skilled roles such as advanced aircraft maintenance, engineering, avionics and logistics.
The project will accommodate the long-term deeper maintenance and modification of the Defence Force’s fleet of RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and RAAF e-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft – enhancing the nation’s sovereign capabilities and enabling work to be carried out in Australia, rather than sending the planes offshore.
A 240m-long, 25m-high four-bay hangar will be used to service the aircraft, with significant modification programs for the Boeing-737 variants planned over the latter half of this decade – fuelling local economic activity and skilled jobs growth.
The 2.1-hectare facility – to be located on Womma Road next to RAAF Base Edinburgh – will be leased to the Commonwealth once completed and include warehousing, workshops and offices.
The Expression of Interest is the first in a two-stage market process to deliver the vital defence infrastructure, providing the Department of Defence a sovereign capability boost adjacent to one of its defence super bases.
The project further demonstrates South Australia is primed to deliver some of the nation’s most significant defence projects over the coming decades coinciding with the historic AUKUS Defence Partnership announcement, with the nuclear-powered submarines program to create thousands of jobs within the defence sector and its supply chain.
The investment in the DMMF aligns with the National Defence: Defence Strategic Review 2023 that seeks to underpin Australia’s sovereign industrial base and capabilities.
Subject to the necessary Commonwealth and State approvals, construction of the DMMF is expected to commence at the start of next year, with the facility operational by mid-2025.
Quotes
Attributable to Nick Champion
This project will not only deliver an important boost to our sovereign capability, but it will also create hundreds of jobs in the northern suburbs.
Our State’s capabilities are being sought across all arms of the nation’s defence force, from state-of-the-art aircraft to nuclear-powered submarines.
South Australia is at the forefront of the nation’s defence industry and the local opportunities that follow are why we are determined to keep leading the pack – and build our status as the home of defence jobs for future generations.
Attributable to Renewal SA Chief Executive Chris Menz
Renewal SA is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced construction partner for this project, as we continue to roll-out a pipeline of significant contract opportunities within our industrial portfolio.
Going forward, many of these projects will support the nation’s defence capabilities, presenting increased opportunities for partnering contractors to expand and strengthen their presence in a burgeoning sector as South Australia prepares to deliver some of the biggest military projects in the country’s history.
Attributable to City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty
The region has historically demonstrated that it has a capable, experienced and willing workforce and I expect that to continue during the construction and ongoing operation of this facility.
The Playford Council area, through the Greater Edinburgh Parks precinct, is expected to be a key employment area into the future, and the City welcomes investment that delivers local jobs for our growing and diverse community, while supporting a sector that is extremely important to our State.
