Osborne Naval Shipyard is proposed to be expanded for the construction of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS trilateral agreement. (Photo Credit: Defence SA)
The proposed AUKUS Nuclear Submarine Construction Facility at Osborne will undergo joint State and Federal environmental, social and economic impact assessments.
The current facility at the Osborne Naval Shipyard site is proposed to be expanded to create a new shipyard where the nuclear-powered submarines will be built. The new construction facility is expected to be three times larger than the existing site at Osborne.
The new facility will be constructed by Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI), a commonwealth Business Enterprise created in 2017. ANI is the owner and developer of the existing Osborne Naval Shipyard which is currently divided into two areas – the existing Collins Class Submarine Fleet occupies the Northern shipyard, with the Hunter Class Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels constructed in the Southern shipyard.
ANI voluntarily requested an Impact Assessed Development under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (the Act). The declaration requires the proposal to undertake an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.
This will see the proposal subjected to the highest order development assessment process available in the country. It will require ANI to prepare an EIS, as well as an Assessment Report prepared by the Commission. The EIS will undergo public consultation later in the year and submissions will be considered in the Commission’s Assessment Report.
Minister for Planning, Nick Champion will then make a final decision under the Act.
The proposal also requires Federal approval under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999, with the ‘nuclear action’ trigger requiring an assessment of the likely impact on the whole of the environment.
The proposed AUKUS Submarine Construction Facility will be next to significant environmental sites, Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. The investigation area incorporates the coastal waterways surrounding the Lefevre Peninsula, including the entrance to the Port River. The EIS will also consider social and economic impacts that arise from the proposal.
Osborne was selected as the future construction site for Australia’s nuclear submarine program following the tri lateral AUKUS agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom.
Up to 4,000 workers are expected to be employed to design and build the infrastructure associated with the establishment of the shipyard itself. A further 4,000 – 5,000 direct jobs are expected to be created to build the nuclear-powered submarines.
Over the forward estimates, it is estimated $6 billion will be invested in the Australian industry and workforce, with at least $2 billion in the South Australian infrastructure alone.
Quotes attributable to Nick Champion
The proposed facility represents one of the most significant industrial undertakings in the State’s history.
The proposal involves a range of environmental, social and economic impacts that requires careful and detailed assessment.
The new shipyard will be subject to the most rigorous assessments in the country which is crucially important when it will be the home of Australia’s nuclear submarine program.
Originally published by the Office of the Premier of South Australia on 14/01/2024. Access link here.
