Overview
Australia will begin building its first SSN-AUKUS in Osborne, South Australia by the end of this decade. Construction will be supported by an expansion of the existing Osborne Naval Shipyard Area to support the facilities and infrastructure required to build the first SSN-AUKUS, referred to as the Submarine Construction Yard (SCY).
The preferred site for the SCY is situated north of the existing Osborne Naval Shipyard on the Lefevre Peninsula, approximately 19 km north of Adelaide in South Australia. Osborne will be the home of Australia’s next generation submarine build, and alongside other shipbuilding activities on the peninsula, will become one of the most advanced technological hubs in the world.
To support the planned construction and operation of the SCY, as well as the future needs of the community, preliminary enabling works have commenced to optimise access routes and traffic flows around the site. The relocation of above and below ground utilities will ensure that future developments are safe and unimpeded whilst maintaining provision of power to the Osborne Naval Shipyards and surrounds.
The Commonwealth has appointed Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ANI), as an Australian Government Business Enterprise to be the Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) design and delivery partner for the project.
Strategic Assessment
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and ASA agreed on 24 November 2023 to undertake a Strategic Assessment of the SCY as defined under Part 10 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The Strategic Assessment considers and assesses the impacts of the construction and operation of the SCY on protected matters as the ASA seeks to deliver conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
Learn more about Strategic Assessments.(Opens in a new tab/window)
The Strategic Assessment Agreement includes the development of:
- Terms of Reference (ToR) – describes the assessment requirements of the Strategic Impact Assessment Report.
- Plan – describes the kinds of activities that will be undertaken as a part of the construction and operation of the SCY.
- Strategic Impact Assessment Report – assesses the impact of the activities against the assessment requirements described in the ToR.
The Strategic Assessment process includes:
- Public comment on the draft ToR conducted between 4 December 2023 and 28 January 2024.
- Public consultation of the Strategic Impact Assessment Report conducted between 3 February 2026 and 17 March 2025.
- Consideration of the Plan and Strategic Impact Assessment Report by the Minister for the Environment.
- The Minister for the Environment decision whether to approve the activities described in the Plan.
Terms of Reference
The ToR was developed by DCCEEW and the ASA to describe the assessment requirements of the Strategic Impact Assessment Report.
The draft ToR was made available for public comment from 4 December 2023 to 28 January 2024. All comments received during this time were considered by the ASA and DCCEEW in the finalisation of the ToR.
The Minister for the Environment and Water endorsed the final ToR on 25 March 2024, this document is now published on the DCCEEW and ASA websites.
Strategic Impact Assessment Report
The Draft Strategic Impact Assessment Report (Draft Report) was made available for public comment during the Public Consultation Period from 3 February to 17 March 2025.
Community Information and Engagement
Engaging stakeholders and the local community is an important part of the planning and approval processes.
To inform the development of the Draft Strategic Assessment Report, the ASA hosted the following activities:
- Online Community Webinar on Wednesday 17 April 2024 to introduce the project and outline the Strategic Assessment process.
- A community information session on Saturday 22 June 2024, to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and community members to engage with the project team, ask questions, explore topics about the project and Strategic Assessment process, and gain first-hand information from the ASA and project team.
- Four community drop-in sessions during the public consultation period between Wednesday 19 February and Saturday 21 February across Adelaide Central Business District, Port Adelaide and on the Lefevre Peninsula. These sessions provided an opportunity for stakeholders and community members to engage with the project, ask questions, gain first-hand information from the ASA and project team, and make a submission on the project.
Next Steps
The ASA is currently incorporating the outcomes of the public consultation into the Strategic Impact Assessment Report.
All comments received during the Public Consultation Period are being considered by the ASA and where appropriate to do so updates to the draft Strategic Impact Assessment Report are being made.
The Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water will then consider the Strategic Assessment Plan, public comments and updated Strategic Impact Assessment Report when deciding whether to endorse the Plan and approve the Strategic Assessment.
South Australian Planning Assessment
The South Australian Minister for Planning has declared that an Impact Assessed development process under section 108(1)(c) of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 will apply to the construction of the SCY.
An Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared on behalf of Australian Naval Infrastructure and is also available for public comment to provide the community with an opportunity to understand and comment on what is proposed.
Details can be found at: yoursay.sa.gov.au/submarine-construction-yard-eis(Opens in a new tab/window)