- Published:
- Monday 31 May 2021
Victoria’s defence industry jobs will grow with the establishment of a new state-of-the-art centre in Fishermans Bend, with support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula today announced that SYPAQ Systems would expand its Victorian operations in a new facility and establish a Defence Autonomy Centre of Excellence, creating 280 high-value new jobs in the state over five years.
The SYPAQ Centre of Excellence will develop innovative technologies and intellectual property related to autonomous systems and cyber security – spearheading Victoria’s competitive advantage within the defence sector and generating expenditure of $45 million annually when fully realised.
SYPAQ is a leading engineering company specialising in defence, national security and information technology that has become a leading industry participant since its establishment in Melbourne almost 30 years ago. Its mini drone has a diagonal span of 18cm, weighs 280 grams and has video and radio capacity that can be used for purposes including natural disaster response and monitoring of event crowds.
SYPAQ Systems joins global firms including Boeing, Leonardo and Siemens in calling Fishermans Bend home.
Victoria’s defence sector contributes up to $8.4 billion to the state’s economy each year, employing around 24,000 people in 6,300 businesses that manufacture equipment and provide services for defence activities.
Victoria continues to attract investment from major defence companies, building on the state’s reputation as a prime location for supply chain opportunities.
Moog Australia has launched a design and manufacturing facility in Heatherton that will boost production of its defence systems in Australia and the Asia-Pacific, French engineering company Segula Technologies is setting up its Asia Pacific headquarters in South Melbourne and Hanwha Defense Australia has signed a MoU with the Government and intends to establish its manufacturing operations in the Geelong corridor.
Fishermans Bend is Australia's largest urban renewal project, covering 480 hectares in the heart of Melbourne and set to be home to 80,000 people and 80,000 jobs by 2050.
The Labor Government invested $179.4 million in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 to support stage one of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct development at the 32-hectare former General Motors Holden site – with remediation and new roads and services to create an investment-ready precinct in three years.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula
“Global companies are choosing Victoria as the place to innovate and take the next big step in their journey.”
“The growing concentration of advanced manufacturing business and high-skilled jobs in Fishermans Bend will build its own momentum as the old GMH site is transformed into a global hub of manufacturing and design.”
Quote attributable to SYPAQ Systems managing director David Vicino
“We are excited about our prospects in Victoria and our ability to grow valuable jobs for Victorian workers – the opportunities available in Fishermans Bend will allow us to foster collaboration with other innovative companies and academia.”