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Construction of South Australia’s latest major defence asset, the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF), developed by Renewal SA, is set to be completed within weeks.
Works were originally scheduled for completion in late April, however the collaborative efforts of Renewal SA and construction partner BESIX Watpac will enable the project to finish in early March.
This ensures it will be delivered to the Commonwealth Department of Defence on budget and ahead of schedule.
Substantive construction has been completed on the $200 million multi hangar aircraft facility, located adjacent to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Edinburgh.
Once operational, the state‑of‑the‑art facility will significantly enhance Australia’s sovereign capability to maintain and modify military aircraft.
Tim Tape, Renewal SA’s Development Director of Industrial and Defence, said the early completion reflected both the quality and efficiency of the project.
“We have exceeded all our key milestones for this project,” Mr Tape said.
“Our construction partners are now putting the final touches on the base building works, with practical completion targeted for early March.
“We will then step aside to allow the Department of Defence to mobilise for communications and security fit‑outs by June, when we expect the DMMF to be fully operational.”
Construction of the 2.1‑hectare facility was delivered at an unprecedented scale.
More than 100 construction workers on site every day over the past two years have overseen the delivery of 190,000 tonnes of fill material, the pouring of 8,100 cubic metres of concrete and the assembly of an 1,800‑tonne structural steel framework.
Much of the steel was sourced locally from the Whyalla Steelworks, supporting South Australian industry.
Late last year, four hangar doors, each almost the size of an Olympic swimming pool, were assembled and installed, enabling internal fit‑out works to commence.
“This is the largest standalone construction project ever undertaken by Renewal SA,” Mr Tape said.
“It involved significant complexity, but the successful completion of this facility demonstrates our capability to deliver nationally significant defence infrastructure.
“The DMMF positions Renewal SA to play a leading role in the continued growth of South Australia’s defence industry over coming decades.”
