HMAS Watson Redevelopment

Overview

HMAS Watson base is located on a 14.6 hectare site off Cliff Street at Sydney’s South Head in New South Wales. The HMAS Watson Redevelopment project is addressing functionality and capacity shortfalls in facilities and infrastructure on the base.

The project also aims to address high risk issues associated with non-compliant facilities and reduce ongoing operating costs by consolidating similar functions.

HMAS Watson site images (PDF, 1.11 MB)

Community information

Defence consulted with local residents, statutory authorities and other interested stakeholders as part of obtaining Parliamentary expediency for the works to proceed under the provisions of the Public Works Act 1969. Consultation was conducted during September and October 2019 with a community information session held in 2020.

Defence will conduct further community information sessions throughout the construction phase of the project.

Traffic and parking

Defence commissioned a traffic consultant to assess the traffic impacts of the construction activities. The assessment considered impacts to existing traffic networks including roads, public transport, pedestrian and cycling paths.

HMAS Watson Traffic and Parking Impact (PDF, 412.1 KB)

Noise management

Defence commissioned a specialist environmental consultant to assess the noise impacts of the construction activities on the local community.

Noise management and treatment measures will be implemented to reduce noise where measures may exceed acceptable limits. Treatment measures are designed to ensure any impacts are minimised.

HMAS Watson Noise Impact (PDF, 1.15 MB)

Project details

Planned works for the next 6 weeks 30/09/2024 to 10/11/2024:

  • Off Base
    • Temporary guard house remains operational.
    • Base access continues to be reduced to a single lane. Next traffic switch is planned in late-Sep – exit lane will continue to be used in a contraflow configuration.
  • Training Facility
    • Structural works are ongoing with large concrete pours for suspended decks planned to occur weekly / bi-weekly
  • Health Clinic
    • Building works have been finished – handover stage.
    • Landscaping works ongoing until early-Nov.
  • Base Entry
    • Civil works are ongoing.
    • Asphalting works are planned for late-Oct.
    • Internal fit-out and services commissioning works for the new guard house and pass office are ongoing.
  • Site Wide Services
    • Inground services installation works ongoing.
  • Out of hours vehicle movements:
    • Large concrete pours for Training Facility. Out of hour arrival to site is expected for the concrete pump and concrete trucks on the large pour days and there is the potential for vehicles leaving the site outside of the construction hours on these days if the pour runs over time.
    • Asphalting works at the Base Entry. Out of hours access to and from site for road paving equipment and asphalt delivery trucks.

HMAS Watson 6 Week Look Ahead (PDF, 20.13 KB)

Timeline

Project element Description Expected commencement Expected completion
Training precinct Construct a new training precinct April 2020 March 2027
Base engineering services Upgrade and refurbish base engineering services, including fire/potable water, communications networks, and civil infrastructure April 2020 August 2023
Base security Install new base security systems including construction of new front entry precinct April 2020 July 2024
Galleys Refurbish the existing galleys April 2024 January 2026
Living-in accommodation Construct new trainee living In accommodation for at least 236 students, plus consequential works April 2021 November 2026
Car parking Construct replacement car parking July 2026 March 2027

Contacts

General enquiries

cfi.n2232.hmas.watson.redevelopment@defence.gov.au

Incident reporting

02 9337 0629

hmaswatson.baseredevelopmentlia@defence.gov.au

HMAS Watson Redevelopment