Overview
Australia will begin building its first SSN-AUKUS in Osborne, South Australia by the end of this decade. Construction will be supported by an expansion of the existing Osborne Naval Shipyard Area to support the facilities and infrastructure required to build the first SSN-AUKUS, referred to as the Submarine Construction Yard (SCY).
The preferred site for the SCY is situated north of the existing Osborne Naval Shipyard on the Lefevre Peninsula, approximately 19 km north of Adelaide in South Australia. Osborne will be the home of Australia’s next generation submarine build and will become one of the most advanced technological hubs in the world.
To support the planned construction and operation of the SCY, as well as the future needs of the community, preliminary enabling works will optimise access routes and traffic flows around the site. The relocation of above and below ground utilities will ensure that future developments are safe and unimpeded whilst maintaining provision of power to the Osborne Naval Shipyards and surrounds.
The Commonwealth has appointed Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ANI), as an Australian Government Business Enterprise to be the Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) design and delivery partner for the project.
Strategic Assessment
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and ASA agreed on 24 November 2023 to undertake a Strategic Assessment of the SCY as defined under Part 10 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The Strategic Assessment considers and assesses the impacts of the construction and operation of the SCY on protected matters as the ASA seeks to deliver conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
Learn more about Strategic Assessments(Opens in a new tab/window).
The Strategic Assessment Agreement includes the development of:
- Terms of Reference (ToR) – describes the assessment requirements of the Strategic Impact Assessment Report.
- Plan – describes the kinds of activities that will be undertaken as a part of the construction and operation of the SCY.
- Strategic Impact Assessment Report – assesses the impact of the activities against the assessment requirements described in the ToR.
The Strategic Assessment process includes:
- Public comment on the draft ToR for a minimum of 28 days.
- Public consultation of the Strategic Impact Assessment Report for a minimum of 28 days.
- Consideration of the Plan and Strategic Impact Assessment Report by the Minister for the Environment.
- The Minister for the Environment decision whether to approve the activities described in the Plan.
Terms of Reference
The ToR was developed by DCCEEW and the ASA to describe the assessment requirements of the Strategic Impact Assessment Report.
The draft ToR was made available for public comment from 4 December 2023 to 28 January 2024. All comments received during this time were considered by the ASA and DCCEEW in the finalisation of the ToR.
The Minister for the Environment and Water endorsed the final ToR on 25 March 2024, this document is now published on the DCCEEW and ASA websites.
Plan and Draft Strategic Impact Assessment Report
Following completion of the ToR, the ASA is now preparing the Plan and draft Strategic Impact Assessment Report to detail the proposed construction and operation of the Submarine Construction Yard and assess any potential environmental impacts.
Engagements, including community drop-in sessions and virtual webinars are planned for the coming months, which will provide opportunities to engage with the ASA on development of the Strategic Impact Assessment Report. Once complete, the draft Strategic Impact Assessment Report will be available for public comment.
Community information
Engaging stakeholders and the local community is an important part of ASA planning and approval processes. ASA is committed to ensuring interested stakeholders and the community are both heard and informed.
Information sessions
The ASA are preparing to release the Osborne Submarine Construction Yard draft Strategic Impact Assessment Report, which will be shared with stakeholders and community members in the coming months as part of a comment period.
Leading up to the release of the draft report, join the ASA and our project specialists at a series of community drop-in information sessions. The most recent community drop-in information session was held on Saturday 22 June 2024.
These sessions provide an opportunity for stakeholders and community members to engage with the project team, ask questions, explore topics about the Project and Strategic Assessment process, and gain first-hand information from the ASA and project team.
Details of future community drop-in information sessions will be published here in due course, to learn more about upcoming sessions email asa.osborne.enquiries@defence.gov.au.
Online community webinar
ASA recently hosted an Online Community Webinar on Wednesday 17 April 2024 to introduce the project and outline the Strategic Assessment process.
For any questions about future engagement opportunities, please contact us at asa.obsorne.enquiries@defence.gov.au.
Project details
The project will deliver the following elements:
| Element | Status | Timeline |
| Preliminary enabling works | The ASA submitted a Referral under EPBC Act Part 7 to 9 for the development of a car park, pedestrian bridge and grade separated road to DCCEEW. The delegate of the Minister for the Environment and Water decided on 8 December 2023 that the proposed action under referral (2023/09662(Opens in a new tab/window)) is a not controlled action if taken in a particular manner. This means that, provided the action is taken in accordance with the particular manners outlined in the referral decision, it does not require further assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed. The referral decision and further details(Opens in a new tab/window) are available on the EPBC Public Portal. | EPBC Act Referral Decision received 8 December 2023. |
| Utility relocation works | A Referral under EPBC Act Part 7 to 9 for the relocation of above ground and in-ground utility services is expected for consideration in mid 2024. | EPBC Act Referral expected in 2024. |
| Submarine Construction Yard | The Minister for the Environment and Water endorsed the ToR for the Strategic Assessment of Osborne. | ToR finalised 25 March 2024. |