Shipbuilding key driver of SAs economy

A key sector driving economic growth in South Australia is entering the stage where preparation transforms into visible action. The Techport Australia shipbuilding complex at Osborne on the Port River is ready for work to begin cutting steel for the air warfare destroyers.

Millions of dollars have been spent on the complex. Mostly this has been out of view, building the huge concrete apron where the ships will be assembled, a 213m wharf and dredging for the massive shiplift. This is big-scale industry generating hundreds of jobs – and there’s lots more to come. The first of three destroyers, HMAS Hobart, is due to be completed by 2014 with the HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Sydney to follow. By then, Techport will be gearing up for the next major contract, the new generation of submarines.

Building the submarines in Adelaide was a federal election promise by the Australian labour party which must be honoured. With the air warfare destroyers behind it, ASC will be favoured to build the submarine work though it still will have to win the contract on merit.