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The NSW government has been busted thanks to some intrepid investigating by former Navy submariner and senator for South Australia Rex Patrick, revealing that the state government had developed business cases for both Port Kembla and Newcastle.
The question of whether Australia needs a dedicated east coast submarine base has become one of the most contested defence infrastructure debates in recent years.
With the shift towards nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement, Defence planners and political leaders have stressed the need for a second major base to complement HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
The argument is simple: if the Navy is to operate more complex and longer-ranged submarines, basing them solely on the west coast risks limiting operational flexibility, straining logistics and leaving the fleet more vulnerable to strategic choke points.
The Albanese government inherited the Morrison-era decision to explore three potential east coast sites: Port Kembla in NSW, Newcastle further north, and Brisbane in Queensland.
Each option has sparked spirited conversations among local communities, industry stakeholders and defence analysts, with the trade-offs extending beyond pure naval strategy to questions of economic opportunity, environmental impact and political acceptance.
Port Kembla, long a heavy industrial hub with a deep-water harbour, has been touted as the front-runner. Proponents argue its proximity to Sydney, existing steelworks and established maritime industry make it a logical choice. Yet concerns persist about safety, the impact on local residents, and whether Wollongong is prepared to host a nuclear-powered fleet.
Newcastle, with its history as one of the nation’s great coal ports, offers a larger metropolitan base and direct access to deep water.
Supporters highlight the city’s shipbuilding pedigree and potential for industrial transition, though sceptics note the competing pressures of trade, tourism and environmental activism.
Brisbane presents the most northern option, appealing for its strategic position closer to the Indo-Pacific theatre and its capacity to host major naval operations alongside existing Army and Air Force infrastructure.
However, questions remain about whether the city’s river-based port is suitable for submarines, and whether the political will exists to shift such a sensitive capability so far north.
As the debate continues, the choice of an east coast submarine base has become a test of how Australia balances local concerns with national security imperatives, and how prepared the nation is to anchor itself more firmly in an era of strategic competition.
Now, former Navy submariner and former senator for South Australia Rex Patrick has reported in Michael West Media that the NSW and Commonwealth governments have been in talks about the future locations, with the NSW government going as far as developing business cases for the two NSW sites.
Patrick said, “Discussions between the two parties are clearly well advanced, with a final NSW cabinet submission in preparation – a fact that has been kept secret until the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure inadvertently revealed it in NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) proceedings.”
While questions remain about both the Port Kembla and Newcastle sites, the proposed investment associated with supporting the submarine base would be transformational for their respective regional economies and come just a week following the government's AU$12 billion announcement to develop and consolidate the Henderson naval shipbuilding precinct in Western Australia.
Patrick added, “It’s clear that the question of basing nuclear submarines in NSW is an important one. There will be opinions for and against, but one thing is for sure: without information, public debate won’t occur, or if it does, it will be ill-informed.”
As the debate heats up and the conversation continues, we can expect to see greater public participation in the conversation about this critical national security infrastructure, the question is, which of Australia's once great industrial cities will pull off a win?
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
