The South Australian Government has set aside land as part of an agreement with the Australian Government that confirms that the multi-billion dollar Future Submarines will be constructed in Adelaide.

 

Under the agreement seven hectares will be set aside for the project alongside the existing Techport facility at Port Adelaide for use by organisations directly involved with the Future Submarine Project.

 

Premier Mike Rann said the Memorandum of Understanding reinforces the Federal Government’s decision, as outlined in the 2009 Defence White Paper, that commits to assembling Australia’s 12 new Future Submarines in South Australia.

 

“The State is working closely with the Defence Materiel Organisation to determine how best Techport Australia’s Common User Facility can support the project,” Mr Rann said.

 

“When we made the decision to develop and invest more than $300 million in the Common User Facility in 2005, we had always intended the precinct would be expanded.

 

“This is because we wanted to ensure Techport was capable of supporting future naval shipbuilding activity.

 

“This agreement signed today ensures that the Commonwealth’s Defence Materiel Organisation has first option over what happens to land adjacent to Techport.

“Strategically, this is an important move. The land immediately adjacent to Techport Australia has been identified as suitable for use in connection with the build or assembly of Australia’s Future Submarines.”