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The Commonwealth government, in partnership with the Western Australia state government have committed to deliver a series of studies to inform future infrastructure and transport requirements around HMAS Stirling in Rockingham, Western Australia.
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Western Australia plays a pivotal role in Australia’s AUKUS pathway and continues its proud legacy as the home of the nation’s submarine fleet.
Starting in 2027, HMAS Stirling will host rotational deployments of United States and United Kingdom submarines through the Submarine Rotational Force-West, ahead of Australia’s operation of its own conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines in the early 2030s.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said, “The Rockingham region is at the forefront of the Albanese government’s Defence investment in Western Australia and will play an increasingly critical role in supporting Australia’s AUKUS pathway.”
Recognising the anticipated increase in Defence activities at HMAS Stirling, the Albanese government is committed to ensuring appropriate transport planning and local road upgrades are in place for the coming decades.
The Minister Marles added, “This work will inform future decisions on delivery of regional transport infrastructure solutions, to ensure that in delivering AUKUS we are also supporting the local community.”
To achieve this, the government will fund three key studies over the next year focused on improving access to HMAS Stirling:
- An assessment of options for roads, infrastructure and local transport.
- A detailed environmental study of the Garden Island Highway Proposal.
- A comprehensive heritage study and constraint mapping exercise for the Garden Island Highway Proposal.
These studies will begin in early 2025 and run for approximately 10 months. Findings will be presented to both the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments for consideration. The studies will include community consultation and build upon existing work undertaken by the state government in the area.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh added, “As we expand operations at HMAS Stirling and the number of Defence personnel, these studies and works will ensure the Rockingham community shares in the broader benefits of the AUKUS program. This work builds on work already underway supporting the Rockingham community, including delivering 550 additional homes for our Defence personnel and families.”
This joint initiative will be delivered under the Cooperation Agreement between the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments, announced in October 2024. It highlights their shared commitment to supporting local communities while enhancing Defence capability in Western Australia.
Madeleine King, Commonwealth Minister for Resources and member for Brand, which is home to HMAS Stirling, added, “As a local, like everyone else, I’ve been caught in the traffic snarls; I see the effects the trucks are having on roads and residents; and I know how important Lake Richmond is to the environment and the community. I will ensure Rockingham gets the road upgrades needed, so the benefits of AUKUS are enjoyed by everyone.”
AUKUS represents a generational investment in Western Australia’s economy. Over the next decade, the Albanese government will invest up to $8 billion to expand HMAS Stirling, creating approximately 3,000 direct jobs. An additional 3,000 jobs will be generated to support contingency and depot-level maintenance of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines at the Henderson Defence Precinct.
