Labor has confirmed its promised $150m funding package for the Cairns Marine Precinct

Two major infrastructure projects will be pumped with cash in Tuesday’s federal budget but it’s the prospect of a third that will appeal to frustrated motorists.

Two of Labor’s major pre-election pledges for the Far North have been locked and loaded into Tuesday’s federal government budget, securing thousands of jobs and paving the way for future skilling of the region.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King visited Cairns on Wednesday confirming the $150m Cairns Marine Precinct expansion as well as $50m for the CQUniversity Cairns CBD campus.

The news is welcome for a jittering Far North as there were no clear signs that election promises would be followed up with cold hard cash.

Only the $107.5m for Cairns water security was itemised within Labor’s election costings.

Even more tantalising though is the hint the $210m promised for Kuranda Range road upgrades will also be embedded in the budget.

Cairns is set to become Australia’s launching point into the Pacific as part of its greater strategy to counter China in the Asia Pacific theatre with the project.

The confirmation of the port funding comes after a new Chinese deal with the Solomon Islands sent shockwaves through the region as Labor faced its first strategic challenge regarding our near neighbours.

Meeting in Cairns are, from left, Chris Boland, Senator Nita Green, Minister Catherine King, Rob Downing, Olav Groot, Phil Growden and Russel Beers. Picture: Supplied

Senator Nita Green confirmed the strategic importance of Cairns in the region.

“We are strategically placed on the coast of the Pacific, close to our Asian neighbours and we know we need to be proactive in terms of the defence of our country” Ms Green said.

The Australian government will contribute $150m towards the $300m expansion of the Cairns Marine Precinct.

This investment, to be delivered in a 50/50 partnership with the Queensland government, will enable the maintenance, repair and overhaul of more and bigger ships.

A new common-user facility at the precinct will include a 5000-tonne ship-lift, enabling ships up to 120-metres long to be repaired and maintained on handstand areas.

“The key point around the common-user facility is that at the moment the three major shipyards we have in Cairns are turning work away from around the world as they don't have capacity to do the jobs. The new facility seeks to provide this capacity,” she said.

Ms Green confirmed the funding would mean more jobs in more skilled areas in Far North Queensland.

The construction of the new common-user facility at the Cairns Marine Precinct is anticipated to support up to 150 local jobs.

“Jobs in trades, fitter and turners, boilermakers, advance manufacturing, engineering will be the types of jobs we will be seeing.”

Tying in with the precinct funding, the government has also confirmed $50m in the budget for the CQUniversity campus which will help drive the acquisition of highly-skilled workers to the Far North.

“Delivering the Cairns Marine Precinct common-user facility is an investment aimed squarely at cementing the region’s status as a world leader for maintenance, repair and overhaul for defence and recreational vessels, including superyachts,” Ms King said.

“This investment will help secure the future of the 4600 jobs supported by the Cairns region’s marine sector.”

Senator Green also teased more cash would flow for the Far North including $210m for the Kuranda Range road.

“The Kuranda range will be part of a broader roads package … we are working hard to finalise the funding arrangements.”

Ms Green said Ms King had so far not made a specific announcement about roads funding but indicated it would be in the budget.

“I am confident we will see it in there,” Ms Green said.

Originally published as Labor has confirmed its promised $150m funding package for the Cairns Marine Precinct