Cairns marine precinct business case release means flags major Defence job opportunities

A waterside jobs boom is on the horizon after the long-awaited completion of the Cairns marine precinct infrastructure business case.

A WATERSIDE jobs boom is on the horizon after the long-awaited completion of the Cairns marine precinct infrastructure business case.

The farsighted document goes public on Friday with an unequivocal call for major spending across the precinct and the industries that use it.

It has been a long time coming – Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced the $2m study was being “fast-tracked” back in December 2020 – but it has finally arrived.

Fortunately, it should be just in time to scoop up federal election commitments.

A new Cairns marine precinct infrastructure expansion business case has been revealed, flagging immense opportunities for expansion – including for Defence maintenance works. Picture: Supplied

The Price Waterhouse Coopers document envisages a new 5000-tonne ship-lift where the Fearnley St public boat ramp currently lies.

It leads to a security-gated route where large ships could be hoisted and transported across the road to a new common-user facility on land opposite the bulk sugar terminal beside Smiths Creek.

The city’s three slipways and associated businesses could access the common user facility for major maintenance work on tourist, Defence and private vessels.

The ship-lift would take the place of the current Fearnley St public boat ramp. Picture: Supplied

The document is explicit about the need for significant investment in the precinct.

“In the absence of timely or appropriate action and investment, the Cairns marine precinct may not be able to compete for future Defence sustainment contracts or adequately service the growing commercial and tourism vessel markets,” it warns.

The study was part of a wider $30m Queensland Government election pledge for the marine precinct.

“The other $28m of Queensland Government funding is already being invested in Ports North acquisition of strategic port land and in new infrastructure to support existing and future common wharf usage,” Mr Miles said.

Major employment opportunities will go unanswered unless there is significant investment. Picture: Supplied

Mr Miles will be in Cairns to hand down the report on Friday and could cross paths with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is in town for a Great Barrier Reef pledge.

The Deputy Premier has already fired off a challenged to the Prime Minister.

“He should commit today to real funding towards the Cairns Marine Precinct and work in good faith with the Palaszczuk Government to get this delivered,” he said.

“I want to see the Morrison Government provide additional Defence vessels and commit to long-term maintenance contracts here in Cairns.”

The common user facility will be critical to carrying out works on Defence vessels. Picture: Supplied

The business case has major implications for the Defence industry, especially in light of last week’s announcement of a $70m, five-year navy maintenance contract awarded to Cairns consortium NORSTA Marine.

The Queensland Government’s strategic defence adviser for maritime Rear Admiral Simon Cullen (Ret) said Cairns was one of the few Australian ports offering maritime industry and Department of Defence expansion opportunities. 

“Cairns is considered a strategic location for the Regional Maintenance Centre North East for the Royal Australian Navy,” he said.

“Construction of a common user facility would allow local service providers to pursue additional maintenance work from the private sector as well as from the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Border Force.”

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch has long called for a ship-lift and common user facility and now has the business case to back up his funding calls in Canberra.

Its release should also mean Ports North’s long overdue masterplan for the precinct can finally move ahead.

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Originally published as Cairns marine precinct business case release means flags major Defence job opportunities