The highly coveted Essington Lewis Award provides recognition of excellence in collaboration between industry and the Department of Defence, with the SST team taking out the ‘Major Acquisition – Over $50m’ category.

Along with recognition for their collaborative delivery, the judges also acknowledged the difficult conditions in which the project was delivered, stating:

“Working in one of the most remote parts of the world to deliver facilities at a world class standard, Sitzler worked with their Defence partner to deliver ahead of schedule and under budget. Working with an international team to meet demanding technical standards as part of a global program, the program made the most of the local community wherever possible to deliver an amazing capability not just for the ADF but allies alike.”

Gordon Kordyak, SMC Special Programs Directorate Space Domain Awareness Division chief explained the importance of the partnership: “This key space domain awareness, or SDA, partnership builds on the long history of close Defence space co-operation between the United States and Australia and has been a cornerstone of our continued alliance.”

This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication of the wider project and support teams. The ability to deliver world class projects in very remote parts of Australia is one of the unique aspects that sets Sitzler apart from many other civil construction firms.

About the Space Surveillance Telescope Facility

For a project of notable complexity, the rotating dome weighed in at 270 tonnes, almost 24m in diameter and can complete a single rotation in less than 20 seconds. The telescope can identify an object less than 100mm in diameter in geostationary orbit (35,000km).

Sitzler were able to strongly engage with the local construction industry in the Exmouth and Gascoyne Region. Not only improving local industry content, a key driver for Defence Contracts, but also improving the resilience of these remote and isolated communities. Of the $62million of construction sub-contracts let on the project, $52million was let to local companies.  Of the 600 personnel inducted onto the SST site through the delivery of the project almost 400 were residents of the Exmouth township. In addition to the direct engagement of local companies and workers on the site, a further 12 local supply companies supported the project.

Sitzler also supported a number of local sporting clubs and community organisations through sponsorships throughout their time on the project and have continued to do so after construction was completed.

In recent news, the confirmation of the continuation of the Marine Rotation Force – Darwin (MRF-D), albeit abridged, is a confirmation of the importance of maintaining strategic ties and ongoing training despite the impacts of COVID-19 across the globe. The news comes at a time when Sitzler, as the Defence Managing Contractor for the proposed $500 million United States Force Posture Initiative (USFPI) Northern Territory Training Areas and Ranges project, reaches a crucial design milestone.

“Despite the direct impacts of travel into the Northern Territory and inability of some specialist designers to be physically present, our team were able to achieve this critical design milestone, supporting both the strategic need for USPFI and promoting ongoing economic output” said Sitzler’s Managing Director, Steve Margetic.

The four NT Defence ranges include Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Kangaroo Flats, Mount Bundey and Bradshaw Training areas with works comprising upgrades to live fire training ranges, training support facilities and a well needed refurbishment or upgrade to the military training camps at these locations.

Delivery of the concept design is often a key milestone for the Defence Department in its delivery of Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Works. This level of design is used to inform the inputs to the Detailed Business Case and following government approvals paperwork. Despite the impacts of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the achievement of this key milestone for Sitzler has ensured that the project remains on track. It is expected that the project will achieve the final approval hurdle from the Joint Standing Committee on Parliamentary Works in the third quarter of 2021. Tendering to industry for work and trade packages would then occur with construction to start in the dry season of 2022. Progressive handover for use by both ADF and MRF-D would be from 2023, with works expected to be fully completed across all ranges by 2025.

What has been interesting for Sitzler and the wider construction industry is the ability to still mobilise and provide support to these key projects. In a similar vein, Sitzler has been able to complete the works as Managing Contractor for the Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) at Exmouth, Western Australia.

Gordon Kordyak, SMC Special Programs Directorate Space Domain Awareness Division chief explained the importance of the partnership: “This key space domain awareness, or SDA, partnership builds on the long history of close Defence space co-operation between the United States and Australia and has been a cornerstone of our continued alliance.”

For a project of notable complexity, the rotating dome weighed in at 270 tonnes, almost 24m in diameter and can complete a single rotation in less than 20 seconds. The telescope can identify an object less than 100mm in diameter in geostationary orbit (35,000km). Sitzler were able to strongly engage with the local construction industry in the Exmouth and Gascoyne Region. Not only improving local industry content, a key driver for Defence Contracts, but also improving the resilience of these remote and isolated communities. Of the $62million of construction sub-contracts let on the project, $52million was let to local companies. Of the 600 personnel inducted onto the SST site through the delivery of the project almost 400 were residents of the Exmouth township. In addition to the direct engagement of local companies and workers on the site, a further 12 local supply companies supported the project. Sitzler also supported a number of local sporting clubs and community organisations through sponsorships throughout their time on the project and have continued to do so after construction was completed.

Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said “The construction capability in regional Australia can be one of Australia’s hidden industry gems. The commitment by Defence and its contractors to tap into those skills continues to help those firms develop, and to ensure that capability remains in place for future projects. Something crucial given the long-term partnerships around Defence activities in regional Australia”.

A positive aspect of this focus in the north and more remote areas has been the ability for small local entities and Indigenous businesses to gain foothold in the Defence construction sector. Amongst a few businesses thriving in this area, Sitzler’s Indigenous arm Tiwi Partners has supported the Defence sector and built the capability and capacity to deliver projects such as the $45 million Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) capability. JORN is a comprehensive radar network integral to Australia’s Defence capability and national security. It provides 24-hour air and maritime wide-area military surveillance of the northern and western approaches to Australia.

As part of JORN Phase 6, BAE Systems are undertaking a $1.2 billion upgrade which will take research technological advancement into the operational environment in alignment with the 2016 Defence White Paper. Again, despite the impacts of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the finalisation of the Tiwi Partners scope has continued with the project expected to reach practical completion in the third quarter of this year.

Images of space from the Space Surveillance Telescope in remote Western Australia have been captured, marking a significant milestone for the Defence space project.

The first pictures from the joint Australia-United States space facility at Exmouth on WA’s Coral Coast follows its reassembly in a purpose-built facility, complete with a 270-tonne rotating dome.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the telescope is a game changer for Defence.

“This world-leading, 360-degree telescope will enable Defence to better track and identify objects and threats in space including space debris, as well as predict and avoid potential collisions,” Minister Reynolds said.

“It will become an important part of the global Space Surveillance Network, which provides space domain awareness to both Australia and the United States.”

The telescope was initially developed in the United States for scientific research. Through a partnership between the Royal Australian Air Force and the United States Space Force, it has since been relocated to Exmouth, Western Australia.

“Our alliance with the United States is at the core of Australia’s security and defence planning, and provides Australia access to advanced technology and information,” Minister Reynolds said.

“In an increasingly complex security environment, closer Australian-US defence cooperation will strengthen our respective capability advantages.”

Minister for Defence Industry and local Member for Durack, the Hon Melissa Price MP, said Sitzler Construction built the 2-megawatt central power station for the Space Surveillance Telescope with support from local and national industry suppliers.

“Constructing a purpose-built facility and all of the accompanying infrastructure for such an important capability in a remote part of Australia is an outstanding achievement,” Minister Price said.

“I’m particularly proud of the contribution by local companies, and that this facility highlights the important role regional Australia has to play in the safety and security of our nation.”

The Space Surveillance Telescope will now undergo extensive testing, and is expected to be operational in 2022.

A media release announcing the completion of construction for the Space Surveillance Telescope facilities in 2019, is available at: https://news.defence.gov.au/media/media-releases/space-surveillance-telescope-building-handover

A picture of the Space Surveillance Telescope installed in the new facility will be available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20201547

Media Contacts
Nicky Hamer (Minister Reynolds’ Office): +61 437 989 927
Kathy Quinn (Minister Price’s Office): +61 468 369 301
Defence Media: media@defence.gov.au