Bechtel Infrastructure Australia (Bechtel) has been appointed by the Government as the design services consultancy to undertake master planning of the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia.
“Awarding this contract moves us closer to making the Henderson Defence Precinct the home of continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment, and a critical sustainment site for our future submarine capability," Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, said.
“The master planning stage is an important step in shaping the defence precinct’s future capability needs and supporting a strong, sovereign industrial base."
Bechtel will provide specialist infrastructure design advice and work with a range of stakeholders to create the plan.
“This project will support thousands of highly skilled jobs and ensure Western Australia is home to the largest naval maintenance hub in the southern hemisphere," WA Minister for Defence Industry, Paul Papalia, stated.
In 2024, the Government announced $127 million to progress planning for the defence precinct. Last year, an additional $12 billion was given by the Government to support the delivery phase for the long-term development of the defence precinct.
The defence precinct will play a vital role in securing continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment in Australia, delivering critical capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The Commonwealth will work hand in glove with the West Australian Government to deliver the defence precinct.
The defence precinct will include: construction facilities for the Royal Australian Army’s landing craft and Australia’s future Mogami‑class frigates following successful consolidation of the Henderson precinct; support infrastructure for conventional submarines and surface combatant vessels; contingency docking capabilities for Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines; and depot-level maintenance capabilities.
Planning and feasibility studies have already commenced and will continue throughout 2026.
Establishment of the defence precinct will occur over the next decade to align with defence capability needs.