Henderson Shipyard Defence Precinct layout finalized by Australian governments

The Australian Federal and Western Australian governments have finalized the layout for the Henderson Shipyard and Defence Precinct south of Fremantle. The facility is intended to serve as a major hub for naval shipbuilding and sustainment, specifically to support the arrival of Australian, US, and UK nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement.

The Commonwealth has committed $12 billion toward the development of the precinct, which will host manufacturing for new future general-purpose frigates and army landing craft. However, conflicting reports regarding the total project cost have emerged. While official figures focus on the initial $12 billion commitment, media reports suggest total projected costs could escalate from $25 billion to as much as $70 billion.

Defence Minister Richard Marles addressed the cost discrepancies, stating that the current $12 billion commitment covers medium-term milestones and that future investment requirements will be addressed through subsequent Federal Budgets. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook described the site as the “largest naval shipbuilding maintenance hub in the southern hemisphere.”