A $90 million investment in Western Australia's shipbuilding facilities could generate billions of dollars for the state economy, according to Australian sources. The funding boost for the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) at Henderson in southern Perth is expected to create thousands of jobs. The project would see the installation of additional common-use infrastructure, including a floating dock and rail transfer system to launch and retrieve large ships, and an extension and upgrade of the existing wharves.

The project would support naval repair and maintenance work already undertaken at the AMC, and would enhance prospects of future naval ship construction, repair and maintenance work for the state. It is also expected to provide a substantial boost to WA's bid for the $2 billion Amphibious Vessel project for the Australian Defence Force, which might create up to 2000 highly technical and manufacturing-based jobs.

The AMC has been developed to facilitate and enhance the opportunities created by the clustering of the marine, defence and resource based industries. Home to the largest marine industry in Australia, Western Australia has established international credentials for repair, maintenance and construction of quality ships and infrastructure for offshore oil and gas production, plus a broad range of world-class marine services. Cockburn Sound is also haven to Australia's naval defence capability for the Indian Ocean Region.

News from: The Sunday Mail