News Of The Area
PORT
MACQUARIE
Local Community News ~ Proudly Independent ~ Family Owned & Operated
Friday, 16 January 2026
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Surf museum looks ahead to new home
Coffee, cuddles and cavaliers
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Meier-Smith to tackle Maydena Hardline
CHALLENGING START
A concept drawing of the Australian Army’s new amphibious vehicle. Photo: Birdon.
ARMY CONTRACT Birdon’s $125m deal to build AVs in Port Macquarie
PORT Macquarie–based maritime engineering company Birdon has secured a $125 million contract to
design and build a new fleet of Amphibious Vehicles Logistics (AV-Ls) for the Australian Army.
The contract covers the construction of one prototype and 15 production vehicles, which will replace the Army’s
ageing Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo vehicle (LARC-V). All vehicles will be
constructed at Birdon’s shipbuilding facility in Port Macquarie, supporting local jobs and skills development.
The new AV-L fleet is expected to significantly enhance the Australian
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PORT MACQUARIE NEWS OF THE AREA
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