Game-changing Ports North masterplan plots out hundreds of millions in investment in Port of Cairns

Development at the Port of Cairns is described as the “single biggest kick-along” to the Cairns economy since the international airport, as a key maritime planning document is released today. Find out what’s in store here.

THE expansion of defence facilities at the Port of Cairns and the development of the Cairns Marine Precinct will be the “single biggest kick-along” to the Cairns economy since the international airport opened, according to Ports North chairman Russell Beer.

“This is absolutely huge. Hundreds if not thousands will be employed on that site over the next decade,” Mr Beer said.

Mr Beer’s comments come off the back of the release on Monday of Ports North’s 30-year masterplan for the Cairns and Mourilyan ports, a crucial maritime planning document which identifies major opportunities over the next 30 years, as well as key triggers for those developments to take place.

Explaining the delays to the release of the masterplan, originally slated for completion in mid-2020, Mr Beer said two things happened.

Firstly, the Covid-19 pandemic made it more difficult to deal with customers and consultants interstate in Melbourne and Sydney, largely because of lockdowns and border closures.

The Federal Labor Party committed $150 million for the Cairns Marine Precinct during the 2022 election campaign, matching the State Labor government's $150 million already committed. Advance Cairns CEO Nick Trompf, Ports North Chairman Russell Beer, General Manager of Austal Phil Growden, owner of SMC Marine Peter Philipp, Adrianne Gard of Tropical Reef Shipyard and Ben Renwick of Norship at the Cairns Port. Picture: Brendan Radke

But more importantly, it was identified early on in the piece through the masterplanning process that the two big opportunities for the Far North were the expansion of the Australian Defence Force’s presence in Cairns and the possibility of significant expansion of marine maintenance at the Cairns Marine Precinct.

Mr Beer said Ports North concentrated on those two issues while the masterplan was being worked on in the background.

“Because of that, we got real traction on (the CMP) and were able to secure $300m of federal and state funding,” he said.

“And we’re in active discussions with the Navy every week about the expansion of HMAS Cairns.

“The reality of the here and now overtook what we might be able to do later.

“I honestly think that the expansion of defence here and the development of the CMP is going to be the single biggest kick-along to the Cairns economy since the international airport opened.”

Mr Beer said marine maintenance operators would compliment the tourism sector and its myriad of reef boats.

The Reef Fleet lines up in the Port of Cairns ready to take tourists out for a taste of Far North Queensland's most iconic attraction – the Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Ports North

The masterplan for the Port of Cairns has identified growth and development opportunities for new defence offshore patrol vessels based in Cairns, in a newly developed HMAS Cairns with significantly increased berthing capacity.

There would be further capacity for further growth of naval vessels in the future through both home-ported and regular visits.

Also outlined in the masterplan is opportunity for growth in the Cairns Marine Precinct for defence vessels, commercial vessels, ship maintenance and super yachts.

Strong growth in tourism including super yachts, reef fleet and cruise ships, incremental growth in general cargo, and growth in project cargo due to new mining and renewables projects are also projected in the masterplan.

Bulk cargo shipments including sugar, molasses and fertiliser are expected to remain static or decline.

The masterplan also plots out growth opportunities for the Port of Mourilyan, which include sugar and molasses, magnetite, silica sands and fuel.

All developments in the plan are ultimately triggered by growth or investment.

The masterplan for both ports identifies what the triggers are and highlights the most likely development pathways that can occur.

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the masterplan had been finalised following consultation with industry and key port stakeholders.

“These plans will lead to more activity at our ports and support good, secure jobs in the Far North, which is great news,” Mr Crawford said.

Mr Beer said the plan set out a sensible and balanced vision for both Cairns and Mourilyan that was responsive to a range of stakeholder interests.

“Ports North has a long history of supporting the economic growth of communities of Far North Queensland and developing a long-term vision for Cairns and Mourilyan ports that allows each port to grow and maximise its potential in a sustainable planned way is another example of supporting our region,” Mr Beer said.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the ports played a key role on Queensland’s supply chain.

“These two ports play a major role in not just Far North Queensland’s economy, but the economy of the entire state,” he said.

The Port of Cairns is undergoing a long-term masterplanning process to help determine its development and use over the coming decades. Picture: Ports North

“Our commitment to ports in the Far North doesn’t stop here either – we’ve also recently allocated $150 million towards a major expansion to the Cairns Marine Precinct, allowing maintenance, repair and overhauls of more and larger ships to go ahead in the port.

“This includes funding for a common user facility, allowing bigger ships to enter the port and helping Cairns secure larger defence and maritime contracts.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the plans were another great example of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to Far North Queensland.

“We’re continuing to deliver big for Cairns and the Far North,” Mr Healy said.

“This long-term plan will help us capitalise on the many growth opportunities at the Cairns and Mourilyan ports, from cargo and defence to tourism.

“Alongside this, we’re investing nearly $1.6b in transport and road projects in Far North Queensland over the next four years, supporting 1,440 good, secure jobs.”

Ports North would like to thank key port users and stakeholders for their contribution throughout the master plan process particularly their insights and information sharing which enabled us to determine priority areas for investment and the development options at each port.

Copies of the master plan and the executive summary are available on the Ports North website.

Originally published as Game-changing Ports North masterplan plots out hundreds of millions in investment in Port of Cairns