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RAAF Base Curtin is set to receive a $244 million upgrade to its facilities and utilities, with work planned to begin in 2024.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price made the announcement on Monday and stated that the Western Australia RAAF Base will see “a major refurbishment” and “replacement of its facilities and infrastructure”.
This includes upgrades to communications, water and electrical services, roads, working accommodation, workshops, aircraft hangars, storage areas and security infrastructure, Price said.
The Defence Ministry said that RAAF Base Curtin forms a “key part” of the Australian Defence Force’s network of northern airbases and plays a “vital role in supporting ADF training and operations.
With the project currency in its “development phase”, WSP Australia has already been engaged as a project manager and contract administrator.
The tender period to engage a managing contractor for the project is expected to close on 8 April, after a request for tender was already released in February. An announcement is expected in June.
The upgrade is still awaiting parliamentary approval.
“This is fantastic news for small and medium businesses in and around Derby,” Minister Price said.
“Those local businesses will have the opportunity to contribute to what is going to be a very significant redevelopment of RAAF Base Curtin.”
Minister Price noted, “$244 million is a huge investment that will support 250 local jobs during the construction period.
“One of our core objectives is to maximise employment opportunities for local companies to bid for work on these sorts of projects and this one will be no different.”
According to the minister’s office, construction is expected to begin in late 2024 with a completion date in 2026.
“This investment speaks volumes about the importance the Morrison government places on RAAF Base Curtin to the defence of our nation,” Minister Price said.
“When I visited the base last year, I got a fantastic insight into the vital role it plays but also a great understanding of the complexities of running an air base in a location like Derby.
“Our investment has come at the perfect time and will be welcomed by those who work there.”
