$4.3b dry dock announcement for Henderson

The City of Cockburn's response to the Fremantle Herald on 16 March 2022 about Prime Minister Scott Morrison's $4.3b dry dock announcement for Henderson

Question: What are the likely benefits for Cockburn?
Answer: Significant benefits are expected to flow through to the City of Cockburn across multiple business sectors as a result of this announcement.

• Local job opportunities will increased immediately as advised in the Prime Minister’s media release
• Increased requirement for education for delivery of trades-orientated courses through the Registered Training Organisations (RTO) sector
• Increase also in tertiary education placements as pathways develop post RTO accreditations
• Investment attraction opportunities will increase within marine and heavy manufacturing industries
• Ancillary support industries (food/accommodation/retail) will benefit from the increased workforce
• Interest in residential properties is expected to increase as a growing workforce looks to relocate closer to employment opportunities
• International Investment Attraction opportunities will be explored, and
• Expansion of global services offerings as the development takes hold and becomes operational.

The City believes that for this investment to realise its full potential, funding will be needed to ensure grade separation for the Rockingham Road and Russell Road intersection.
 
There will also need to be a commitment to deliver Tier 2 public transport (tram/trackless tram or bus-rapid transit) to connect the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) to Cockburn Central, and also to Fremantle via the South Fremantle Power Station/Cockburn Coast.
 
Question: Are there likely to be any challenges for the city in terms of planning, or workforce?
Answer: There won’t be any changes to the City’s workforce and the proposal will be dealt with in the same efficient manner the City has dealt with other significant proposals at the AMC.
 
It is anticipated that the expansion of the dry dock facilities at the AMC will result in increased jobs both directly and indirectly. It will provide a major economic boost to existing businesses and a significant attractor for future businesses.