'Taking Shape: new Air Warfare Destroyer Project (NBN News Newcastle Report by Nat Wallace 18/10/11)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare and Member for Newcastle Sharon Grierson today announced more work and more jobs for the Hunter on the new Air Warfare Destroyer Project.

When the Air Warfare Destroyer project began in 2009, Hunter company Forgacs were contracted to build 29 steel blocks.

This has now increased to 40 blocks.

In February Forgacs were awarded nine more blocks.

Following a re-allocation of work announced in May this year, Forgacs has been awarded another two blocks.

This additional work is worth around $80 million and will create approximately 200 more jobs.

It has also meant opening an additional shipyard at Carrington.

Mr Clare and Ms Grierson made the announcement while visiting Forgac's Tomago worksite today.

"This is terrific news for the Hunter and a tribute to the quality of work being done here at Forgacs," Mr Clare said.

"Forgacs will now build about half of the first two Air Warfare Destroyers.

"They will build 14 of the 31 blocks that make up the first ship, HMAS Hobart and 13 of the 31 blocks that make up the second ship, HMAS Brisbane.

"They have started work on all of the 14 blocks for ship one and on two of the 13 blocks they will build for ship two."

While at the Tomago facility, Mr Clare and Ms Grierson inspected a block that is currently undergoing its final stages of work, including the installation of mechanical and electrical equipment, electrical cabling and completion of pipework installation.

"There are now 50 workers working on the AWD project at Carrington and 450 workers working on the project at Tomago," Ms Grierson said.

"At peak production 650 people are expected to be working on this project across both shipyards."

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