BLU-110 1000 lb bomb bodies in storage at Orchard Hills. Photo: ADF.
The Federal Government has announced an investment of $508 million in new defence facilities in Western Sydney.
As part of its $21 billion Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) plan, the government will build a new facility and upgrade existing base infrastructure at Defence Establishment Orchard Hills.
The base lies between the suburbs of St Marys in the north and Luddenham and the new Western Sydney Airport to the south, Glenmore Park to the west, and St Clair to the east. It currently employs about 700 people, including contractors and Defence personnel.
The new works on base will be for a new explosive ordnance storage facility valued at $210 million to be constructed by ADCO Constructions. Work will commence in 2027 and will create an estimated 300 jobs.
The new facilities are required due to a large expansion in the amount of new and existing missile and guided weapons stocks entering service with the Australian Defence Force, and the government’s ambitions to assemble and manufacture precision-guided weapons in Australia.
Also at Orchard Hills, Hansen Yuncken has been contracted to improve the base’s security, to upgrade base infrastructure, and to build new training and working facilities at a value of $298 million, with work to be completed by 2029.
Orchard Hills’s weapons storage bunkers as seen on Google Earth. Photo: Google Earth.
In addition to the direct construction jobs, the government says it will create indirect supply chain employment opportunities for 1400 workers in steel and concrete production, material supply, fabrication, office fit-out, design, and logistics.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the government was creating thousands of jobs for locals with this major investment in infrastructure that was critical to our national security.
“This is part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to establish a sovereign missile manufacturing industry which will make Australia more self-reliant and ensure the ADF has what it needs to keep Australians safe.”
