Peter Malinauskas MP
Premier
Minister for Defence and Space Industries
Nick Champion MP
Minister for Housing and Urban Development
Member for Taylor
The final touches are being put on the Malinauskas Labor Government’s latest major defence asset, the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF).
Works were originally scheduled for completion in late April, however the collaborative efforts of Renewal SA and construction partner BESIX Watpac will enable the project to finish in early March.
This ensures it will be delivered to the Commonwealth Department of Defence on budget and ahead of schedule.
Substantive construction has been completed on the $200 million multi hangar aircraft facility, located adjacent to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Edinburgh.
Once operational, the state‑of‑the‑art facility will significantly enhance Australia’s sovereign capability to maintain and modify military aircraft.
Construction of the 2.1‑hectare facility was delivered at an unprecedented scale and is the largest standalone construction project delivered by Renewal SA.
More than 100 construction workers on site every day over the past two years have overseen the delivery of 190,000 tonnes of fill material, the pouring of 8,100 cubic metres of concrete and the assembly of an 1,800‑tonne structural steel framework.
Most of the steel was sourced locally from the Whyalla Steelworks, supporting South Australian industry.
Late last year, four hangar doors, each almost the size of an Olympic swimming pool, were assembled and installed, enabling internal fit‑out works to commence.
Final works include the installation of a high security fences around the site perimeter and a 24‑hour video surveillance system.
A major civil and landscaping works program surrounding the facility is also almost complete.
A dedicated tow way linking the RAAF Base Edinburgh to the DMMF will enable the safe movement of aircraft between the two sites and upgrades to the adjacent Womma Road will support secure access for the up to 180 personnel who will eventually work at the facility.
From mid‑year, the DMMF will begin supporting the long‑term maintenance and modification requirements for the Australian Defence Force’s fleet of RAAF P‑8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and RAAF E‑7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Last year it was announced New Zealand Defence Force P‑8A Poseidon aircraft will also undergo comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul at the DMMF, while United States Navy MQ‑4C Triton aircraft will undergo repair at the adjacent RAAF Base Edinburgh.
Renewal SA will retain ownership of the facility, leased to the Commonwealth Department of Defence for 30 years, with two 10-year extension options.
The project has created about 450 construction jobs during the build and will soon create 80 new highly skilled defence industry jobs including roles in advanced aircraft maintenance, engineering, avionics and logistics.
Students completing aeroskills training at The Heights Technical College will be equipped with the specialist skills needed to work at the DMMF.
The completion of the DMMF comes as the Albanese Labor Government backed in South Australia as the nation’s defence capital, with a program of infrastructure projected to cost in excess of $30 billion to deliver the new Submarine Construction Yard in Osborne.
Quotes attributable to Peter Malinauskas
The completion of the DMMF is a milestone worth celebrating for several significant reasons.
First, it adds to South Australia’s growing defence assets, further solidifying us as the nation’s defence capital.
Secondly, it is a physical representation of the importance of the Whyalla Steelworks. Steel from Whyalla has created this enormous facility which is critical national defence infrastructure.
Thirdly, our partnership with Boeing will we’re building careers for young South Australians and strengthening our defence industrial base for the long term.
And it is a testament to the efficiency of South Australia’s construction industry, with hundreds of workers delivering this massive project ahead of schedule.
Quotes attributable to Nick Champion
This is a proud moment for South Australia as we prepare to deliver this critical defence facility on budget and ahead of schedule.
Credit must go to Renewal SA, BESIX Watpac and the hundreds of workers from the northern suburbs and greater Adelaide who turned up every day over the past two years to deliver this project. Their expertise and commitment have been outstanding.
The DMMF represents more than just infrastructure. It’s about sovereign capability, highly skilled jobs for South Australians and our state’s position as the nation’s defence hub for generations to come.
Quotes attributable to Mark Baker, BESIX Watpac’s Chief Executive Officer
Our early design engagement and re‑engineering of the structure saved considerable time at the front end, and exploring alternative methodologies as well as using digital construction tools further accelerated the program.
Reaching this milestone early is a real credit to our collaborative partnership with Renewal SA, our stakeholders and subcontractors, while also building the local capability needed to support South Australia’s growing infrastructure pipeline.
