Rockingham, a seaside city in Perth's south, is rapidly transforming into a major defence hub as part of the AUKUS trilateral security partnership. The city is preparing for the arrival of up to five nuclear-powered submarines starting in 2027 under Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West), which will bring significant job and infrastructure investments.
At a recent community information session hosted by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), residents voiced concerns about safety, radioactive waste, and the potential for US Virginia-class submarines to carry nuclear weapons. Officials assured that small amounts of low-level radiological waste would be safely managed through a monitoring program and a new facility.
Other residents focused on the impact of an influx of up to 1,100 US personnel and their families. Questions were raised about housing, traffic, and public infrastructure. Defence Housing Australia plans to double its Rockingham property portfolio to around 1,200 homes over five years.
Rockingham Mayor Lorna Buchan noted the city's population is already growing by 14 people per day and that each defence job creates 1.7 additional service jobs. She said the city is awaiting final state approval for a plan to unlock thousands of extra dwellings in the city centre to accommodate the growth.
