Three years after the government confirmed the Home of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) would remain in Devonport, an initial investment of $25 million has been announced by the government for design and planning on the first tranche of works.
Making the Future Naval Base Program announcement November 26, the Associate Defense Minister, Chris Penk, said the planned long-term development would enable capability, provide RNZN personnel the facilities they need to train, live, and operate, and strengthen our national security.
The $25 million will be used for planning and design on specific and immediate infrastructure challenges on the Base. These include training facilities at Narrow Neck, a replacement Sea Safety Training complex, transitional office space, and replacement dry dock gates for which additional budget will be provided over the next 3-4 years based on individual business cases being developed.
The announcement strongly signals an investment at Devonport that extends not only through the North and South Yard precincts of the naval base but beyond to other RNZN areas at Narrow Neck, Kauri Point, and the Tamaki Leadership Centre.
Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Karl Woodhead, welcomed the announcement as an indication of the government’s commitment to address sea water rise and the Base’s aging infrastructure – much of which was built in the 1940’s.
“But it’s also an acknowledgement of how critical the Devonport Naval Base is to New Zealand’s national security,” he said.
“With the funding now available to immediately begin planning and design work on the first stage of infrastructure improvement, this is a really tangible first step in what will be a complete modernization of the Base.”
The final cost to transform Devonport into a fit for purpose, operational naval facility, is estimated at $4 billion and scheduled to take 35 years to complete.