Navy upgrades to boost region: officer

HMAS Stirling’s new commanding officer told the Sound Telegraph six new submarines and double the current number of submariners are to have Garden Island as their home port, while local contractors will be handed the majority of infrastructure upgrade work valued at $366.8 million.

Royal Australian Navy Captain Brian Delamont assumed the role in January and will oversee an important phase for Stirling after the recent release of the Defence White Paper.

Although national speculation continues over who will build the newly commissioned submarines, with Henderson-based Austal believed to be in consideration, Capt. Delamont confirmed six would call Garden Island home.

“We have grown 25 per cent over the last six years and Stirling is set to increase significantly in importance and the number of people here,” he said.

“We are going to have more submarines here, potentially more ships as well. The White Paper has shown a long-term commitment to Stirling and maintenance in the west.”

With the oil and gas industry not as affluent as in previous years, Capt. Delamont said the Navy could play a role in filling some of the financial void.

“I think we are going to be a more stable presence as we don’t undergo the fluctuations,” he said.

“We are increasing and not subject to the same cyclical factors.”

Capt. Delamont said South West businesses would be boosted by the Navy’s commitment to the region.

Stirling will receive $1.35 billion in funding over 20 years for new wharves, training and support facilities and an underwater tracking range.

The first part of this will see $366.8 million spent on a generational infrastructure upgrade, with the work to be carried out between 2017 and 2020.

Capt. Delamont highlighted Perth-based company Decmil, which is undertaking upgrades to fuel pipelines on Garden Island, as an example of an organisation moving from oil and gas work to government contracts in the region.

Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce chief executive Tony Solin said an increase in navy spending would be a big boost for the economy.

“The redevelopment and maintenance programme will be an opportunity for local business to tender for work over the next three to four years,” he said.

“This will be a fantastic boost to the local economy and our members look forward to working with Defence.”

He said the 3500 personnel based at Stirling spent about $100 million of wages in Rockingham and the wider region every year and the navy was committed to engaging with the community.

“I have an interest that most of the navy people live within the community and I want to make sure we are a good neighbour to the local townships,” Capt. Delamont said.

“We host a lot of charity events, play sport with the community and it’s in the interest of everyone that we do this. Community engagement is very important.”

Capt. Delamont said the navy’s commitment to Anzac Day services would be unwavering, despite funding to RSLs being cut.

“We are maintaining our level of commitment,” he said.

“That will be in the form of supporting all the Anzac Day services, working with cadets — our level of commitment is as high as it’s ever been and we do that out of our own resources.”