Geostrategy and geotactics: recent naval port developments at Garden Island, Western Australia

Abstract

In the changing geostrategic conditions of the post-Cold-War world, Australia is relocating the bulk of its naval capacity from the east to the west coast of the continent. It is therefore developing a major naval base on the south western fringe of the Perth-Fremantle metropolitan area at a time when naval ports in many parts of the developed world are entering a period of decline. This paper considers the factors influencing this strategic move and the tactics adopted by various levels of government to optimize the development's economic, social and ecological impacts.