Cairns Marine Precinct lands an extra $30m in federal budget

Advance Cairns has called on the state government to match the federal government’s $30m budget top-up for the Cairns Marine Precinct common user facility.

Advance Cairns has called on the state government to match the federal government’s $30m budget top-up for the Cairns Marine Precinct common user facility.

The additional $30m in Tuesday night’s budget is in addition to $150m the federal government had already committed to.

The state government has also committed $150m to the project that advocacy organisation Advance Cairns has among its top priorities.

The advocacy organisation is now calling on the state government to match the new money, which would bring the total funds earmarked for what is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the region to $360m.

Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan welcomed confirmation of a total $180m for the CUF over the next five years.

Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan says the advocacy organisation is pleased about the federal government’s commitment of an extra $30m for Cairns Marine Precinct. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Given the CUF is jointly funded by federal and Queensland governments, we would expect to see this new money matched by the state,” Ms Reddan said.

“This is particularly pertinent just weeks after the release of the Defence Strategic Review, which placed particular emphasis on hardening Australia’s north, with Cairns clearly playing a central role.”

Advance Cairns noted in its budget submission that the Cairns Marine Precinct business case, released by the state government last January, highlighted that one in six vessels in Australia over 15m, and four in five North Queensland-registered vessels were serviced in Cairns.

A Cairns Marine Precinct infrastructure expansion business case flags immense opportunities for expansion – including for defence maintenance works. Picture: Supplied

“The business case also highlights the existing shipyards are at or near capacity and that future demand will not be met with current capabilities,” it stated.

Senator Nita Green said Tuesday’s budget funding encompassed construction of a new common user facility with a 5000-tonne ship-lift, a 180m-long wharf for in-water maintenance, two blast and paint sheds, and three hardstand areas for vessels up to 120m long for repairs and maintenance.

“The project is delivered over the next five years, with final commissioning expected in 2028,” Ms Green said.

Advance Cairns also noted the Defence Strategic Review would ensure the Australian Defence Force was well positioned to meet security challenges “amid more aggressive posture” from China.

“With these current geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, and with internationally significant events such as China’s security deal with the Solomon Islands, it is essential that this review sees a strengthening of Defence Force operations in Far Northern Australia,” Advance Cairns said in its budget submission.

The money in the federal budget comes after the Premier announced $39m for additional marine precinct works during an Advance Cairns luncheon in Cairns on Tuesday.

Originally published as Cairns Marine Precinct lands an extra $30m in federal budget