A major defence facility that will deliver vital sovereign capabilities and economic growth, creating hundreds of jobs in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
- Project Type
- Industrial
- Project Status
- Underway
- Timeline
- 2024 - 2026
About the project
Renewal SA is at the forefront of defence innovation, spearheading the creation of Australia's first Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) for Boeing 737-variant military aircrafts in Penfield, South Australia.
Strategically located as an extension of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Edinburgh Base, the $200 million facility will revolutionise how military aircrafts are maintained and modified, enhancing Australia’s sovereign capabilities.
South Australia was nominated as the preferred location for the DMMF in 2021, and the State Government, through Renewal SA is working collaboratively with the Commonwealth Department of Defence (Defence) on this project.
The 2.1-hectare facility located on Womma Road will be leased to the Commonwealth once completed. Renewal SA will deliver warehouses, workshops and offices, including a 240m-long, 60m-wide, 25m-high four-bay hangar that will be used to service the aircraft.
The purpose-built facility is designed to accommodate the long-term maintenance and modification requirements for the Defence Force’s fleet of RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and RAAF E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.
These Boeing 737 variants have major modification programs planned over the latter half of this decade. DMMF will enable this maintenance and upgrade work to be completed in Australia fuelling local economic activity and skilled jobs growth.
DMMF will create hundreds of jobs in Adelaide’s north and reinforce South Australia’s reputation as the defence state. The project is expected to deliver 450 construction jobs during the build and around 50 new highly skilled defence industry jobs including roles in advanced aircraft maintenance, engineering, avionics and logistics. This is in addition to more than two dozen staff already maintaining the P-8A Poseidon at an interim facility within the nearby RAAF base.
Architectural render of the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility
Project progress and status
Following an agreement with Defence, the Government of South Australia, through Renewal SA will oversee the construction of the $200 million facility.
Renewal SA conducted a two-stage market process to appoint the Principal Contractor for DMMF. In May 2023, an Expression of Interest was released to the market as the first stage in the tender process. Followed by a formal Request for Offer, BESIX Watpac was appointed design and construct delivery partner for the facility in April 2024.
Concurrent to tender process, the development application was assessed by the State Commission Assessment Panel and development approval for the facility was granted in September 2023.
Following the Commonwealth and State approvals, construction commenced on site in August 2024.
The facility is forecast to be completed in mid-2026. Renewal SA will lease the facility to Defence for 30 years, plus two x 10-year extension options.
Renewal SA intends to rezone the adjacent 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.
