Defence infrastructure in South Australia has received a major boost with the Federal Government submitting a development application for the Osborne North shipbuilding facility.

Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) will oversee the delivery of a state-of-the-art construction yard where Naval Group will build the fleet of 12 Future Submarines.

Meanwhile, Lendlease's South Australian Building Unit has been appointed managing contractor for the Osborne South facility, which will accommodate the Future Frigates build.

ICN SA has worked closely with all stakeholders on both ventures to ensure local suppliers can make the most of any opportunities.

The Osborne South Naval Shipbuilding Project involves the construction of new facilities required to support the Future Frigate program. Facilities include:

civil and pavement works
new manufacturing workshops
upgrades and modernisation of existing buildings
wharf extension.

Expressions of interests closed in the first quarter of 2018, with the project slated for completion in 2020. The Osborne South project is expected to employ up to 600 people.

Meanwhile, the Osborne North project is still in the very early phases, with a prime contractor still to be selected.

Consultant Jeremy Satchell said ICN SA worked with two of the major bidders for the prime contractor tenders, including extensively with Laing O’Rourke to develop a project page on Gateway to assess market capacity and identify possible supply chain solutions.

‘A large number of local suppliers and subcontractors took the opportunity to express interest in both Osborne North and South projects,’ he said.

‘It is a great example of the value of getting involved at the tender stage for such large projects. Local suppliers have had the opportunity to engage in the projects earlier, while potential lead contractors have been able to tap into local capabilities to plan and deliver these large infrastructure projects.’

‘We encourage local suppliers to use ICN as part of a wider business development strategy to leverage the industry and project knowledge of consultants – including information that has not been made public.

‘With the right engagement strategy, we can also work with major project proponents to prepare the industry.’

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said the Osborne North project would deliver opportunities for Australian industry to get involved in the Future Submarine Program.

‘We want as many local companies as possible to be involved in the yard’s construction,’ he said in a press release.

Jeremy encouraged companies interested in finding out more about both the Osborne North and South projects to ensure their Gateway profile is up-to-date and you have alerts turned on.