RAAF Base Curtin

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Curtin is located on the north coast of Western Australia, 35 kilometres to the southeast of Derby. A full refurbishment of existing facilities and infrastructure at the base is in planning stages.

RAAF Base Curtin was officially opened in 1988 and established to provide support for land, air and sea operations aimed at securing Australia’s northern approaches.

Curtin is one of the Royal Australian Air Force’s three ‘bare bases’, which means it does not have a permanent RAAF unit base, and instead is used for training exercises and operations. The base forms a key part of the Australian Defence Force’s network of Northern air bases and plays a key role in supporting the training and operations of the Australian Defence Force in North-Western Australia and the Indian Ocean.

The 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan will see an immediate $2.5 billion being allocated to the redevelopment of Defence facilities in Western Australia, of which $244 million will be allocated to the RAAF Base Curtin.

The project will focus on the major refurbishment or replacement of the base’s existing facilities and infrastructure including upgrades to communications, water and electrical services, roads, accommodation, workshops, aircraft hangers, storage areas and security infrastructure. The project is expected to create 250 jobs and could provide a significant economic boost for the town of Derby.

WSP was engaged in late 2021 as the Development Phase Project Manager and Contract Administrator to oversee planning and managing of the project, including developing a scoping program, cost-planning, procurement for designers and contractors, and guiding the project through approvals processes.

Construction is expected to commence in late 2024 for completion in mid-2026, subject to government and parliamentary approvals.

Useful links and document:

https://www.airforce.gov.au/about-us/bases/western-australia/raaf-base-curtin

WSP engaged as development project managers:

https://www.wsp.com/en-AU/news/2021/supporting-defence-infrastructure-redevelopment-in-wa