Defence awards Bechtel design services contract for Henderson Precinct

Defence has appointed Brisbane-based Bechtel Infrastructure Australia the design services consultancy to undertake master planning of the consolidated Henderson defence precinct. This will support sovereign shipbuilding and sustainment in Western Australia, says Defence in a media release. Establishment of the consolidated defence precinct will occur over the next decade to align with defence capability needs and minimise disruption to local industry and communities, it adds.

Bechtel will provide specialist infrastructure design advice and work with a range of stakeholders to create the plan. In 2024, Defence announced $127 million over three years to progress planning for the defence precinct.

“Awarding this contract moves us closer to making the Henderson Defence Precinct the home of continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment, and a critical sustainment site for our future submarine capability,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry. “The master planning stage is an important step in shaping the defence precinct’s future capability needs and supporting a strong, sovereign industrial base.

“This contract reflects our commitment to partnering with industry to build a smarter, faster and more innovative maritime capability hub,” he added. “Input and insights from industry and other stakeholders will lay the groundwork for defence industrial depth and long-term national resilience.”

Last year, Defence backed this commitment with an additional $12 billion to support the delivery phase for the long-term development of the defence precinct. This contract is the next step in realising these investments in the west, it says, and builds on the previously announced $8 billion investment in upgrades to Fleet Base West – HMAS Stirling – through to the mid-2030s. It also provides an operating base for Australia’s sovereign conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and supports Submarine Rotational Force – West from 2027.

The defence precinct will play a vital role in securing continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment in Australia, delivering critical capabilities for the Australian Defence Force, and contributing to the support of about 10,000 direct jobs in the west over the next two decades, Defence adds.

The Commonwealth is working closely with the West Australian Government to deliver the defence precinct, says Defence.

The consolidated Henderson defence precinct will include:

• Construction facilities for the Australian Army’s medium and heavy landing craft and the RAN’s future Mogami‑class frigates
• Support and sustainment infrastructure for conventional submarines and surface combatants
• Contingency docking capabilities for Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines
• Depot-level maintenance facilities for nuclear-powered submarines, including graving docks
• A large-vessel docking capability

Planning and feasibility studies have already commenced and will continue throughout 2026, says Defence.