The construction of facilities for the new Landing Helicopter Dock ships and Air Warfare Destroyers has commenced in Sydney.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Senator David Feeney attended a sod turning ceremony at HMAS Watson today and welcomed the commencement of building works.

“This is the culmination of four years of planning to build new facilities required to raise, train and sustain the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships and Air Warfare Destroyers in their home-port of Sydney.

“The investment of $170.2 million into facilities at HMAS Watson, Garden Island and Randwick Barracks—with the first of the major works commencing at HMAS Watson—will provide berthing infrastructure, permanent maintenance and systems support facilities for the new ships at Garden Island, and training facilities at Randwick Barracks and HMAS Watson,” Senator Feeney said.

Construction commenced at HMAS Watson in July 2013, and will be completed at all sites by late 2015.

HMAS Canberra, the first of the new Landing Helicopter Dock ships, is due for delivery in early 2014, with HMAS Hobart, the first of the new Air Warfare Destroyers, due for delivery in early 2016.

Media contacts:
Senator Feeney’s Office: Jeffrey Von Drehnen 0477 348 476
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999