Works have begun on the building of a giant four bay hangar in northern Adelaide to facilitate the specialist maintenance of Australia’s Boeing 737 variant military aircraft.
Following an agreement with the Commonwealth Department of Defence (Defence), the Government of South Australia will oversee the construction of the $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) adjacent the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Edinburgh base in northern Adelaide.
Newly appointed construction partner BESIX Watpac last week took charge of the 16-hectare project area where the new 2.1-hectare purpose-built facility will be built. It is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by Renewal SA.
The mammoth 240 metre long, 60 metre wide, 25 metre high, four-bay hangar equates to just over two thirds of the size of Adelaide Oval (and more than 70m longer). The hangar will support the maintenance and modification of 737-sized aircraft.
The milestone has been marked by official sod turning and smoking ceremonies on 5 September at the Womma Rd site.
About 450 construction jobs are forecast during the two-year build. Upon completion, this facility is expected to create about 50 new highly skilled jobs such as mechanical, avionics and structural engineers, painters and ground servicing equipment trades.
BESIX Watpac is leading the design and construction of the hangar that will be used to maintain and modify military aircraft operated by the Commonwealth Department of Defence.
The works will occur on land acquired and owned by Renewal SA (main building and ancillary works) and connected to land owned by Defence, which includes a tow-way for the aircraft to access the new hangar. Construction works will deliver the aircraft hangar, offices, workshops, stores, amenities areas and plant rooms.
BESIX Watpac CEO Mark Baker said the project marked an important milestone for the company in South Australia.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Renewal SA for the first time to deliver the DMMF project – drawing on our extensive experience in delivering aviation and defence projects in South Australia,” Mr Baker said.
“BESIX Watpac is committed to building the best projects together with our people and partners and we look forward to delivering another complex infrastructure facility.”
The project will enable the long-term deep maintenance and modification of the Australian Defence Force’s fleet of RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and RAAF E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft - both Boeing 737 variants.
Renewal SA will lease the facility to Defence for 30 years, plus two x 10-year extension options.
Renewal SA intends to rezone the land designated for the project from rural horticulture to strategic employment with a Defence overlay. This aligns with the future development of lands surrounding RAAF Base Edinburgh and the need to protect the base from urban encroachment.
Renewal SA Chief Executive Chris Menz said bringing together such a large and complex project with many high-level stakeholders was a reflection of the skills and drive on offer in South Australia.
“This is one of the most critical projects Renewal SA has undertaken and seeking a principal contractor to deliver this significant project was a highly competitive process. We are thrilled to be playing a lead role on this critical sovereign capability defence asset,” he said.
A cultural heritage survey has been carried out and Minister’s Authorisation per section 13 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA) has been received. This process has included consultation with Kaurna Traditional Owners.
“Renewal SA is committed to demonstrating best practice cultural heritage and engagement with Traditional Owners, respecting the history of Country and undertaking development on lands that have been lived on for thousands of years. Our focus will include increasing economic participation of First Nations people through training and employment, in addition to cultural heritage practices through construction,” Mr Menz said.
Once complete, the operational facility will enhance the Australia’s sovereign capabilities and enable maintenance and modifications to be carried out in Australia rather than sending the planes offshore.
The completed facility will be utilised by Boeing Defence Australia under its contract with Defence to conduct maintenance and modification of the P-8A Poseidon and E-7A Wedgetail fleets.
Boeing Defence Australia Managing Director Amy List said the benefits of the project were widespread.
“The maintenance, repair and overhaul programs to be undertaken in this facility will create more than 50 new Boeing jobs, present exciting opportunities to local businesses and enhance the unmatched capability of the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon fleet to further bolster Australia’s defence capacity and readiness,” Ms List said.
Aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade is a sovereign Defence priority and there is potential for other international work to be conducted at the facility in the future.
Construction has now begun and is forecast to be completed in mid-2026.
