The Western Australian Government is establishing the AUKUS Community Taskforce to channel local input into the delivery of the trilateral defence program, ensuring any pressures on the region can be appropriately addressed.
In September 2021, Australia entered into a partnership with the UK and the US to form a national enterprise – AUKUS – aiming to deliver long-term strategic benefits and strengthen the combined industrial capacity of the three partners, as reported.
The taskforce will work closely with the local Western Australian community, with a four-week public consultation opening open until 3 March 2026. The taskforce will identify local needs and opportunities for transport infrastructure, housing, health services, and community assets in relation to AUKUS.
Ahead of the delivery of AUKUS, the state government has committed funding for a range of upgrades around the region.
As part of the state government’s Made in WA plan, an $11.5 million investment to support the establishment of a Henderson Precinct, underpinning tens of billions of dollars of Australian Government investment in defence capabilities in the state over the next 20 years, creating more than 10,000 new jobs.
The taskforce will include state government representatives from the departments of Premier and Cabinet, Transport and Major Infrastructure, Planning, Lands and Heritage, and Education, as well as Defence West and the South Metropolitan Health Service.
It will also include representatives from the City of Rockingham, Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Defence, the Australian Submarine Agency, local Traditional Owners and Madeleine King.
Under the initial AUKUS deal, the US intends to sell Australia three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines. Australia has the option to seek approval for up to two more if needed.
Nuclear power, derived from energy that is released in the process of nuclear fission, is used mainly for electricity generation. Nuclear is considered the world’s second largest source of low-carbon power.
More than 50 countries use nuclear energy in about 220 research reactors, according to the World Nuclear Association. In parallel with research, these reactors are used for producing medical and industrial isotopes, alongside training.
Industrial isotopes are unstable forms of elements that emit radiation and are used across various industrial applications, including non-destructive testing, gauging, and process monitoring.
Most nuclear power plants use enriched uranium as its fuel to produce electricity. The World Nuclear Association reports that about two-thirds of the global uranium production comes from mines in Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: SSN AUKUS
