Strategic advantage: uniting defence

Northern Adelaide has many unique strengths and potential to further grow the state and nation’s defence capability, as well as bolster the local economy and position the City of Playford as a hub for innovation, employment, and technological advancement. A 170 hectare site in the north west of Greater Edinburgh Parks (GEP) has been identified as the potential site to further develop the precinct.

Deeper Maintenance and Modification Facility

The Australian Department of Defence and Renewal SA are developing a Deeper Maintenance and Modification Facility on the northern perimeter of RAAF Base Edinburgh. The facility will accommodate the long-term deeper maintenance and modification of the Defence Force’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and e-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft – enhancing the nation’s sovereign capabilities. This investment provides the opportunity to be a catalyst for the further development of this strategic location.

2 The opportunity

Edinburgh Defence and Aerospace Precinct

The development of this precinct would facilitate the growth of initiatives that support the air and land services located at the RAAF base. It presents an opportunity to foster a cohesive cluster of interconnected industries and their supply chains. Most of the land within the precinct is privately owned.

Expanding the Edinburgh Defence Precinct provides a strategic advantage to SA’s defence capability, enabling:

• Land contiguous to RAAF Base Edinburgh, enabling controlled access to the base and runway

• Job creation in the defence and aerospace sector

• Superior transport connectivity

• Cluster of interconnected industries

• Avoidance of conflict with non-industrial activities, protecting the long-term strategic capabilities of RAAF Base Edinburgh

• Flat and affordable land, enables economies of scale

• 24/7 operation capability

The precinct has ready access to the national highway network, port facilities and the national railway network, emphasising the central logistics role the precinct can play in defence operations. The 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide and the Adelaide City Deal recognise the importance of this locality to support defence activities and ensure the ongoing viability of the Edinburgh Defence Precinct. This wil minimise encroachment on the RAAF Base and creating a stronger defence business environment conducive to further investment attraction.

Existing defence & education precincts

Circular economy precincts

Coastal ecological assets

Infrastructure assets

Current employment lands

– Food production

Current employment lands

Future growth areas

(Not yet zoned)

Renascor Facility

* Distances are