$150m funding committed to deliver Cairns Marine Precinct expansion

The expansion of the Cairns Marine Precinct is a step closer to becoming a reality as the Queensland Government invests $150 million to enable the delivery of this significant upgrade. 

Estimated to cost between $300 to $400 million, the project will deliver a new Common User Facility that includes a 5,000-tonne shiplift to allow ships of up to 120 metres in length to be maintained and repaired on hardstand areas. 

The Cairns Marine Precinct expansion will also open the region to more opportunities from defence and maritime contracts. 

“Cairns is the leading maintenance, repair and overhaul destination for defence and recreational vessels, including superyachts, across Australia. 

“Expanding the Cairns Marine Precinct with a Common User Facility will ensure Cairns can keep up with demand and continue to remain a world leader in maritime manufacturing and repairs. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on the Cairns economy and expanding the Cairns Marine Precinct will help diversify the Cairns economy,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. 

The State Government funding will help secure the future of the Cairns marine sector along with the 4,600 jobs that it supports. 

Once expanded, the Cairns Marine Precinct will be able to accommodate the maintenance, repair and overhaul of more and larger ships. 

The Common User Facility will also allow local service providers to chase additional maintenance work from the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Border Force as well as from the private sector. 

“We have a significant opportunity, particularly in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to leverage the growth in the tourism vessels and superyacht sector. 

“We will now seek cost-sharing arrangement with the Australian Government to ensure more Queensland jobs and economic growth,” Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Steven Miles said. 

The construction of the new Common User Facility will help in enabling Cairns to rapidly adjust to the changing demands of regional marine operators and it will also provide an opportunity for Cairns to become a leading marine maintenance, repair and overhaul hub. 

“Cairns Port is one of the few Australian ports offering both in water and land facility expansion opportunities for the Department of Defence. 

“There will also be specialist facilities for blasting and painting vessels and more capacity for wet berths,” Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said. 

According to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, the new Common User Facility will enable the port to expand as well as remain competitive against industry demands. 

“The facilities at Cairns Port are vital to our economic development in regional centres, handling bulk shipments of sugar, molasses, livestock and cargo including the mammoth wind turbines needed for the Kaban Wind Farm. 

“Thansk to the Palaszczuk Labor Government keeping assets like this in the hands of Queenslanders, we’re able to invest in infrastructure like a Common User Facility to grow Far North Queensland’s economy and it’s the people of this great state that will reap the benefits,” Minister Bailey said. 

The $150 million investment from the Queensland Government will not only deliver the new Common User Facility but will also help grow the Cairns marine industry and economy. 

“Cairns is a location of strategic importance to Northern Australia. It is the gateway to the Pacific region and is of major economic importance. 

“A Common User Facility will open up significant opportunities for industry to pursue new business opportunities, increase capabilities and create additional skilled jobs throughout the supply chain,” Member for Cairns Michael Healy said. 

Advance Cairns Chairman Nick Trompf has welcomed the funding commitment from the State Government to upgrade the marine precinct, which is one of the top priorities for the advocacy and economic development group. 

“With Cairns home to Queensland’s only operational Navy base – and the increasing geopolitical uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific region – the city is already seeing huge growth in demand for maintenance work for larger, more complex vessels. 

“Our three shipyards are heavily booked, sometimes months in advance. Investment in the proposed common user facility will enable a step-change in capabilities, enabling the dry-docking on multiple large vessels simultaneously. 

“Advance Cairns has been working closely with the State for more than four years advocating for upgrades in the marine precinct, with our most recent meetings with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport and Main Roads just last week. We welcome the collaboration the State has shown on this vital project,” Mr Trompf said. 

The new $150 million investment is in addition to the $30 million funding commitment in the precinct that included $2 million for the development of the Detailed Business Case as well as $28 million for new infrastructure including two wharves that expands capacity to undertake in-water maintenance on vessels used by the Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force. 

The delivery of the new Common User Facility at the Cairns Marine Precinct is anticipated to support up to 150 jobs. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning; Tropic Now; Advance Cairns