Render supplied
The construction of a new 11-storey building has begun within Adelaide at the Lot Fourteen site, designed to support Australia’s AUKUS endeavours and strengthen South Australia’s defence sector.
Known as Defence HQ, the project will provide a site to grow defence capabilities, innovation, research commercialisation and business activity.
The addition of the building expects to double the workforce population at Lot Fourteen to more than 3,000 people.
Projects to be undertaken within the building once its completed include a $60 million Australian Defence Technologies Academy, $24.5 million Innovation Hub and $20 million SpaceBase.
The Australian Defence Technologies Academy and Innovation Hub are jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments, while SpaceBase is fully funded by the State Government.
Federal Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said AUKUS will be the greatest industrial endeavour ever undertaken in Australia.
“The Australian government is proud to be co-funding this new facility and Lot Fourteen, which will deliver first-class training and innovation to South Australia as a defence state,” Pat said.
“Through AUKUS, we are ensuring access to world-leading defence capability, developing a highly skilled workforce and supporting jobs for decades to come.”
The building will also become the new South Australian headquarters of defence contractor BAE Systems Australia, placing the company at the centre of the state’s defence and critical technologies sector.
The location will provide stronger connections between its operations and partnerships at Osborne Naval Shipyard, Edinburgh Defence Precinct, Tonsley Innovation District and Findon Technical College.
BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Craig Lockhart said the new head office in Adelaide reflects their strong partnership with the state.
“We expect to hire some 1300 employees in 2026, with 80% of our growth in engineering, trades and production roles,” Craig said.
“This recruitment tempo will be maintained for at least the next three to five years, with most of our growth expected in South Australia.”
One of the projects housed within the building, The Innovation Hub, will be run by Adelaide University to foster the collaboration between research, industry and government, for more effective communication of research and technology.
Australian builder company, Built, has been assigned with constructing the building which is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, with more than 300 workers employed for the phase.
Defence HQ
When: expected to be complete by the end of 2028
Where: Corner North Terrace and Frome Road, Adelaide
For more, click here.
