Local subcontractors will be prioritised as part of Cairns Marine Precinct early works contract

A Sydney-based company will deliver the early works project at Cairns Marine Precinct but says local subcontractors and skilled workers will be a procurement priority. FIND OUT MORE

A SYDNEY-BASED company has beaten a number of businesses with a “local presence” to win a $28m contract for early works construction at the Cairns Marine Precinct.

While SMC Marine owner Pete Philipp could not confirm the number of jobs the contract would deliver to Far North Queensland, he said that specialist skills would be absolutely sourced locally.

“It’s early days in terms of planning but we can say we brought the most local contractors through, out of all the tenders,” he said.

Owner of Sydney-based SMC Marine Peter Philipp will call Cairns home for the next ten months as the $28m project is due for completion in February 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s not just the number of jobs, it’s the skills we’re going to bring— engineers, draftsmen, riggers, crane drivers … plus a whole lot of overlap with marine support. They’re well-paying jobs, jobs that will see people put their roots in Cairns.

“We’re really careful to maximise local procurement because it’s better for us all.”

Ports North General Manager Corporate Services Kerry Egerton confirmed a number of contractors with a local presence submitted tenders for the marine precinct contract, but SMC Marine was chosen because it provided the best value tender and are using a number of local subcontractors.

“Local benefits was part of the selection criteria as well as value for money,” said Ms Egerton.

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

“[SMC Marine] have committed to engaging extensively with local subcontractors and developing specialist marine construction skills in the region.”

The $28m project will see construction of an 80m double-sided wharf, a 50m wharf with heavy-duty pavements, a 40m approach jetty and crane pad that can support up to 200 tonne mobile cranes.

Ms Egerton said these early works were an important step in expanding the Cairns Marine Precinct’s capacity to meet the needs of the industry.

Ports North General Manager Corporate Services Kerry Egerton at the Cairns Cruise Ship Terminal. Picture: supplied.

“The delivery of the two new wharves will expand the port’s capacity to undertake in-water maintenance on vessels used by the Cairns Marine Precinct’s shipyards, including commercial ships, Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force vessels,” she said.

SMC has already locked in several local companies as subcontractors, including HEH Civil for construction of the heavy-duty pavement, JGP Electrical for electrical services and Tacoma Plumbing NQ for hydraulics and plumbing.

Carpentaria contracting are also slated to provide marine support during the project.

“Our strategy is very much to work with local subcontractors,” said SMC Marine Project Director David Brough.

“We have a lot of history here in Queensland. Our owner Pete personally worked on the Cairns Marina project in 2002 and he’s very proud of that.”

Works are due to be completed in February 2023.

Originally published as Local subcontractors will be prioritised as part of Cairns Marine Precinct early works contract