Commonwealth Launches Bid for $300m Darwin Missile Defence Base

The project includes a new operations area with secure briefing rooms, training rooms, working accommodation, maintenance areas and warehouses; two shelters for medium and heavy vehicles and their trailers, a chiller plant, fire pump house, relocated fences and a new exit road.

Out for public comment until September 10, the plan will then be considered by the parliamentary standing committee on public works before a recommendation on whether to proceed is made to the Australian parliament.

In its submission to the committee, the department said missiles would not be stored at the base.

A similar project, to start after the Darwin scheme, is planned for the RAAF Williamtown base near Newcastle in New South Wales.

▲ A diagram of how AIR6500 is intended to co-ordinate Australia’s defence systems to repel air strikes. Image: Lockheed Martin

A guaranteed maximum price contract is planned, with a head contractor to be appointed to procure tradespeople and manage construction. The department said it would promote opportunities for small, medium and First Nations enterprises to sub-contract on the project.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the department anticipates construction of the Darwin facility will start by mid 2027 and complete by late 2029.

WA makes small step towards space

Meanwhile, the WA government has granted $1.75 million to the Perth-based Space Angel, which is required to match the funding, to assess sites and develop a business case for a spaceport.

The government is also assessing the feasibility of other potential spaceport sites in the state.

WA Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said the global space launch services market exceeded US$15 billion anually and is projected to grow at 15 per cent a year.

“A spaceport would help attract investment, support high-skilled jobs, and create new opportunities for Western Australian businesses to participate in the global space economy,”  he said.