The Cairns Marine Precinct will secure its place as Northern Australia’s premier maritime precinct with a $24 million commitment from the Morrison Government.
A re-elected Morrison Government will invest a further $24 million into Stage Two of the upgrade of the Cairns Marine Maintenance Precinct, taking our total investment in the upgrades to $48 million following completion of Stage One works.
This brings our total investment in Cairns’ maritime precinct and industry to over $300 million, including $155 million investment in facilities at HMAS Cairns to support the new Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels that will be based in Cairns, $70 million for NORSTA Maritime to deliver the Royal Australian Navy’s Regional Maintenance Centre and $36 million for TAFE Queensland in Cairns to deliver maritime training as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new investment in the Cairns Marine Precinct would boost jobs, support the tourism industry and strengthen Australia’s border security.
“The Cairns Marine Precinct is the place to go for maritime services and this investment will ensure it can meet the growing tourism, marine industry, and naval demand,” the Prime Minister said.
“This will create hundreds of jobs during construction, and hundreds more highly-skilled jobs once it is fully operational, creating enormous and continued economic benefits for the region.
“This builds on the region’s proud history of supporting the Australian Navy and Border Force, and will ensure we can continue supporting naval and other shipping in northern Australia and the entire Pacific region.
“With the Great Barrier Reef a boat ride away, this will also make Cairns an even more attractive launch pad for private and charter boats, yachts and superyachts keen to explore the region.
“Our economic plan is delivering this key strategic investment, securing a strong economy and a stronger future for Queensland.”
Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said the Morrison Government had worked with local operators to design the wharf, and ensure it is fit for purpose for demands today, and into the future.
“The approach we have taken, in partnership with the three slipway operators, towards the Cairns Marine Precinct has always been staged and planned,” Mr Entsch said.
“I worked extremely closely with the three slipway operators – Tropical Reef Shipyard, Norship and Austal – to fund and deliver Stage One. Now we are funding and delivering Stage Two.
“This investment will create local jobs and further enhance our reputation as a leading marine maintenance and sustainability hub.”
The Stage Two works will include critical upgrades and enabling infrastructure on the current port leasehold in the precinct, including: additional naval certified hardstand areas, all-weather vessel servicing capabilities, additional docking facilities, longer wharfage to meet in-water maintenance support requirements, improved workshop facilities, plus offices, parking and other amenities.