$35 million investment in WA submarine maintenance

Plans have been unveiled for construction of a $35 million submarine maintenance and upgrade facility at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC), Western Australia.

The facility, which includes office accommodation for 185 people, is being built by Collins Class submarine builder, designer and maintainer ASC Pty Ltd.

According to Ross Milton, ASC Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the new submarine facility will consolidate all WA submarine maintenance and upgrade activities, and commit ASC to undertake work in the state indefinitely.

“ASC will benefit from the WA Government’s commitment to additional infrastructure, which includes a floating dock, as part of the Common User Facility (CUF).  It will incorporate land transfer capability enabling ASC to move submarines into the new facility,” said Mr Milton.

“With the construction of a large maintenance hall for undercover submarine work, use of the floating dock and access to the CUF’s eastern wharf extensions, we will be able to carry out maintenance on as many as three submarines at any one time.

“It is through the generous support of the WA Government that ASC will soon deliver Collins Class submarine maintenance services to the Royal Australian Navy far more efficiently; and for that we’re very appreciative.”

During 2006/07, $49 million of submarine work will be undertaken in Western Australia, with 65% of this amount spent with local contractors.

Tenders were called for ASC’s facility in July 2006, with construction expected to take around 14 months to complete.

ASC will undertake its first submarine maintenance docking at the AMC in 2008.

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For more information:  
Jayne Correll, Communications Manager
ASC Pty Ltd
Telephone: 08 8348 7000
Mobile: 0423 029 307
Email: Jayne.Correll@asc.com.au