Defence has apologised to traditional land owners in Western Australia who live around the Garden Island naval base south of Perth  for not consulting them about upgrades being made to accommodate visiting nuclear-powered submarines.

During Senate estimates in Canberra, Greens senator Dorinda Cox, who is a Yamatji-Noongar woman, expressed her concerns about the AUKUS work that will soon begin at HMAS Stirling.

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond told the Senator he wanted to discuss the matter on his next visit, an offer Ms Cox accepted.

“I’m just surprised that this has been such an oversight for an extended period of time, I do apologise, Vice Admiral Hammond said.

“I’m in Western Australia in a couple of weeks’ time and again in July. I’d like to formally engage with you.”