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BADGE Constructions WA has signed a contract to build a $5 million shipside support tower at BAE Systems’ Henderson facility to support the eight-ship Anzac frigate upgrade project.
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The five level tower will be built between the existing ship dry berths, while two gangways at the upper level will provide direct access to the ships dry berthed on either side. The support tower will also include offices, meeting rooms and amenities for employees, contractors and tradespeople working on the ships.
The upgrade of the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of Anzac Class frigates will involve 2.4 million hours over the next five years. Currently, the teams supporting naval programs at Henderson are located on site but in separate areas.
The team members – Department of Defence, RAN, major partners and contractors – which work from various office locations across the Henderson facility will work in the one location when the work is being completed, which BAE Systems said will facilitate greater collaboration and engagement and ensure that any issues during the frigate upgrade project can be dealt with much quicker.
"Bringing everyone working on the upgrade and sustainment of Royal Australian Navy ships together will create efficiencies and improve collaboration," said BAE Systems Australia chief executive Gabby Costigan.
"It continues the significant investment in site infrastructure so that we can reduce the time that naval ships are on the hard stand, ensuring that they can be returned to service as quickly as possible."
Construction will start this month, and the building should be completed and in use by the end of the year. BADGE expects construction to create 300 jobs over the duration of the project.
