In the late 1960s, the Australian Army saw a need to replace its four World War II-era Landing Ship Medium (LSM) which had been purchased from the United States in 1959.^[2] In response to this requirement, the firm Burness, Corlett and Partners, along with the Australian Shipbuilding Board, drew up plans for a ship which was larger than the LSM and was capable of carrying a greater quantity of cargo. The resulting design included three engines and a long, slim hull, and later versions of the plans included a helicopter pad. The ship would be capable of embarking tanks in an enclosed tank deck or on the upper deck with other cargo, and specialised storage areas would be included for refrigerated, explosive and flammable supplies.^[1]

The Army and RAN disagreed on aspects of the Landing Ship Medium Mark II's design. Unlike other contemporary designs, it was planned that the ship would not carry smaller landing craft, but rather discharge her cargo via a ramp fitted to her bow. While the Army wanted the ship to have a bow door to enable her to be beached, the navy preferred a fully sealed bow so that she could make 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) and sail in convoys.^[1] These differing views were not resolved, and the design team experienced problems meeting the Army's requirements.^[2]

As a result of the difficulties with the project, the Landing Ship Medium Mark II was cancelled in the early 1970s. Instead, the Army ordered eight Balikpapan-class landing craft heavy to replace the LSMs.^[1] Only the first of these ships actually served with the Army, however, as responsibility for seagoing ships was transferred to the RAN shortly after she entered service.^[1][2]

• Alsop, Brian (1996). Australian Army Watercraft: Australia's Unknown Fleet. From the Second World War to the Present Day. Sydney: Topmill in conjunction with the Australian Water Transport Association. ISBN 1-876043-15-6.
• Gillett, Ross (1988). Australian & New Zealand Warships Since 1946. Sydney: Child & Associates. ISBN 0-86777-219-0.