The 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan highlighted Infrastructure as a key enabler to continuous naval shipbuilding in Australia. Following recommendations from the RAND report, Australia's Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise – Preparing for the 21st century, the Government announced that shipbuilding in Australia would be centred on two principal shipyards:
- Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia comprised of Osborne South – a flexible shipyard for the construction of major surface combatants, and Osborne North – a bespoke construction yard for the future submarine program; and
- Henderson Maritime Precinct, Western Australia – for the construction of minor naval vessels.
In the pursuit of a new, more flexible means of investing in naval-related infrastructure, the Government established Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ANI) in March 2017 as a Government Business Enterprise responsible for the ownership and management of infrastructure at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Since the release of the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan, the Government has made significant progress in the development and upgrade of infrastructure to support the continuous naval shipbuilding enterprise. This has included:
- Considerable progress in the development of Osborne South where ANI is delivering new and upgraded facilities to support the delivery of the Hunter Class Frigate Program. Ongoing progress of Osborne South can be found on ANI's website.
- Early works for the development of the future submarine construction Yard at Osborne North.
- Continued engagement with the South Australian State Government as a key stakeholder in the development of the Northern LeFevre Master Plan. Facilitated through stakeholder engagement workshops, key initiatives of the plan include consideration of wider precinct ‘zoning’ and improved transport networks.
- As announced by the Government in October 2018, a significant investment amounting to an estimated total of $1.5 billion will be in naval related infrastructure to support new and existing capability in WA. This will see infrastructure upgrades at both the Henderson Maritime Precinct and HMAS Stirling.
- Defence continues to participate in a collaborative effort led by the West Australian State Government to develop a Master Plan for the Henderson Maritime Precinct, which along with Defence plans relating to basing strategies and sustainment requirements will help to inform future planned investment in the area.