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The government has signed off an expansion for the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, Tasmania. The facility, known as the Defence and Maritime Innovation and Design Precinct, is tipped to create hundreds of jobs at the local level.
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Long considered a hub for maritime engineering and innovation, Launceston will gain a facility aimed at drawing together academics from across the country to develop maritime-specific solutions. The three-year program will expand the current capability of the Australian Maritime College (AMC), located at UTAS' Newnham campus, which has supported Defence training and personnel since its establishment.
AMC offers formal training in a number of civilian and defence areas, including:
- Maritime engineering and hydrodynamics;
- Maritime business and international logistics;
- Ocean seafaring; and
- Coastal seafaring and VET courses.
As well as expanding AMC's capacity, the precinct will also act in direct support of Defence Science and Technology, as well as to produce a broad range of science and technology capabilities.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds put the number of jobs created in the hundreds, adding that the agreement delivers on a "key election commitment for Tasmania".
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said it is critical to "harness the skills, talents and expertise of the entire innovation network to deliver the best possible outcomes for Defence and Australia more broadly".
“This development will help preserve the AMC’s role as our national maritime institute, ensuring the needs of both civil and Defence maritime industrial sectors are served,” Minister Price said.
Federal member for Bass, Bridget Archer, provided detail on the employment benefits conferred by the partnership.
“This will create nearly 60 local jobs during the construction program, and it’s estimated the initiative will create over 150 new jobs in the region each year,” Archer said.
“It’s great news for our local economy, and will drive defence-related research and development projects from right here in Launceston.”
