Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard Project – Environmental Impact Statement

Have your say on the Environmental Impact Statement for construction and operation of the proposed Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard project at Osborne.

What's being decided?

The Australian Government will begin building conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines by the end of this decade. The preferred site for construction is near the existing Osborne Naval Shipyard, about 19 km north-west of the Adelaide CBD.

We are seeking feedback on the Environmental Impact Statement for building and operating the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard, associated launch and berthing facilities, and other infrastructure needed on site to build the submarines.

The Environmental Impact Statement, prepared by Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) identifies and considers potential impacts due to the development, its operations and any associated changes in land use, both on land and in coastal waters.

This includes considering impacts on plants, animals, heritage, community and the economy and how these impacts can be mitigated or minimised.

Background

In 2023, the Australian Government announced plans to build conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia as part of the AUKUS agreement.

Several approvals are required for the development to occur.

Some approvals are assessed and issued by the South Australian Government and others by the Australian Government, while aspects such as nuclear licensing are assessed and approved by other regulatory agencies and licensing bodies.

South Australian Government approvals

The state-based development application for the proposed Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard project has been declared an Impact Assessed Development by the South Australian Minister for Planning.

This is the most rigorous and comprehensive level of development assessment in South Australia and is reserved for projects that are of economic, social or environmental importance to the state.

The State Planning Commission released the assessment requirements for the project in August 2024, which outline and address the main environmental, economic and social impacts that might arise from the project.

In response to these requirements, ANI has prepared the Environmental Impact Statement, in-line with South Australian legislation.

ANI is an Australian Government business enterprise, responsible for developing and managing infrastructure for the submarine-building program. They submitted the development application and prepared the Environmental Impact Statement for the submarine construction yard.

Australian Government approvals

The Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) is leading a separate strategic assessment process to consider and assess the impacts of the submarine construction yard’s development and operations on nationally and internationally listed plants, animals, habitats and places under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Consultation on this Australian Government process is being undertaken at the same time as the South Australian Government’s consultation on the Environmental Impact Statement.

For more information about the Australian Government strategic assessment process and consultation, visit the ASA website.

Get involved

• read the Submarine Construction Yard Environmental Impact Statement
• read the Environmental Impact Statement Executive Summary
• take a look at the Environmental Impact Statement frequently asked questions
• take a look at the approvals processes frequently asked questions
• read the Environmental Impact Statement General Fact Sheet and Environmental Impact Statement Conclusions Fact Sheet
• attend a drop-in information session

Have your say by:

• taking our survey
• completing the PlanSA online submissions form
• emailing SPCreps@sa.gov.au (subject: Submarine Construction Yard EIS submission)
• Posting your submission to:
  Attention: Robert Kleeman, Manager Crown and Impact Assessment
  Planning and Land Use Services
  Department for Housing and Urban Development
  GPO BOX 1815
  ADELAIDE SA 5000

Submissions will be published on this website and the PlanSA website, including company details, but personal details, such as your name, address, email or phone number, will not be published.

Hard copies of the Environmental Impact Statement are available to view at:

• Department of Housing and Urban Development, Planning and Land Use Services, Level 9, 83 Pirie Street, Adelaide
• Port Adelaide Library, 2-4 Church Street, Port Adelaide.

To purchase a hard copy, contact PlanSA via email or call 1800 752 664.

What are the next steps?

All feedback will be received and collated by PlanSA and provided to ANI for their consideration and review.

ANI will then prepare a “response document”, which outlines the feedback received, addresses issues raised during consultation (including mitigation and management measures) and outlines any changes to the project.

The State Planning Commission will then consider the whole proposal, including the Environmental Impact Statement, council and state agency comments and public feedback, and prepare an assessment report.

The Commission will provide the assessment report with recommendations to the Minister for Planning for consideration in making a decision on the proposal.

The response document, public submissions and assessment report will be published on this website and the PlanSA website.