Babcock opens $31m Adelaide facility to support Defence programs

The $31 million Defence-accredited building will reportedly be home to more than 100 Babcock engineers and technical experts working across nationally significant Defence programs.

Those projects are expected to include the Collins Class in-service sustainment and future life of type extension support; systems on the Hunter Class frigates; future AUKUS endeavours; counter chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (C-CBRNE) asset management.

The Woodville North facility features a 4,000-square metre custom-built manufacturing workshop and warehouse, equipped with technology to increase operational throughput, along with an additional 2,000-square metre of office space.

The environmentally green building, which replaces Babcock’s operations at Osborne, has been flexibly designed to expand so it can easily cater for the future needs of Australia’s submarine program, along with a broader pipeline of activities, including the substantial work required to successfully execute AUKUS Pillar I and II.

“Between AUKUS, frigates and the Collins Class submarines, we have an extraordinary opportunity to develop our state’s workforce with more highly skilled well-paid careers,” South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas said.

“Many of those highly skilled workers will be based at cutting-edge facilities like these, that Babcock has constructed here at Woodville North.

“This facility sets up Babcock as a major employer in our state for decades to come and is a vote of confidence in the economic position of our state, and the potential before us.”

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The opening of the high-tech facility is expected to signal a significant uplift in capability for Babcock and its defence operations in South Australia by providing additional space to engineer, assemble and test equipment under simulated conditions as well as delivering a full suite of high-quality asset management services.

Babcock’s Collins Class delivery team will conduct deep maintenance on several of the fleet’s key systems from the new specialist facility, along with future LOTE modernisation packages as part of its partnership with ASC.

The move to the new facility is well-timed for engineers and graduates working on the Hunter Class program, as it presents them with hands-on opportunities to perform detailed design work and apply their STEM skills in the creation and optimisation of mechanical systems.

“This cutting-edge facility underpins our commitment to our Defence customers by positioning us at the forefront of national defence capabilities,” Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland said.

“The additional space means we can scale up our sustainment output on the Collin Class fleet, deliver life of type extension projects, and provide a critical pathway to AUKUS by ensuring these submarines remain operational until the first of the nuclear-powered submarines hit the water.

“At Babcock, our mission is to create a safe and secure world together, and we can already see this facility acting as a centre of collaboration for young engineers who share that ambition and want to hone their craft in an environment that gives them opportunities to grow their careers right here in Adelaide.”

Babcock has successfully recruited a strong engineering and trades base in recent years, and this new facility will further enhance its ability to attract local, national and international talent to South Australia, and develop precise technical skills among its workforce in support of the state’s growing defence manufacturing ambitions.

Bringing staff from different Defence programs together on a single, open plan floor-plate will encourage knowledge sharing and the exchange of new ideas, plus create fresh avenues for career advancement.

The building – owned and constructed by Commercial & General and leased to Babcock under a long-term arrangement – is designed to be carbon neutral in operation and features a 99 kilowatts rooftop solar array, ground water harvesting, electric vehicle changing stations, energy-saving lighting and end of trip facilities.

“We are proud to have successfully delivered this cutting-edge project for our esteemed partner, Babcock,” Commercial & General executive chairman Jamie McClurg said.

“Completed on program, on budget and within 12 months, this facility marks a major advancement in South Australia’s defence infrastructure.

“It stands as a testament to our team’s precision, technical capability, and unwavering commitment at Commercial & General where we continue to be the state’s leading private defence delivery contractor.”

Around 200 construction jobs were supported during the build process, which was undertaken by Tandem Building Group and delivered on time. The new facility will be fully operational by the end of the year.