Navy maintenance contract to boost job opportunities in Cairns

Cairns has clinched a $70m five-year contract with the navy, plus another $14m contract, in a move which reinforces its role as a strategic gateway to the Pacific and secures employment.

A $70m, five-year maintenance contract with the Royal Australian Navy has been hailed as delivering decades of job security for the Far North.

Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, said the huge contract would help the navy grow its fleet and retain its edge through delivering jobs and security in the Far North.

NORSTA Maritime was named as the Regional Maintenance Provider to deliver the Cairns Regional Maintenance Centre – otherwise known as RMC North East.

In May 2021 Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the Australian navy base HMAS Cairns with Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price and federal member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch. Picture: NCA Newswire/Sean Davey

Mr Entsch said the contract offered long-term employment opportunities for the region.

“It’s a game changer for Cairns and FNQ,” he said.

“As more naval ships are maintained here in Cairns, more Defence and industry personnel will be required, which will further support long-term local jobs and diversify our economy.

“This eliminates the peaks and troughs of employment for decades to come.”

Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the contract is with NORSTA Maritime and their partners Norship, Tropical Reef Shipyard, Nova Systems and Secora.

HMAS Paluma returns to HMAS Cairns. Picture: Australian Navy

“Cairns is a significant navy base and a gateway to the Pacific (and) is a strategically important location for navy,” Mr Dutton said.

“This five-year $70m contract, will deliver maintenance management services (and) RMC North East will deliver world-class continuous maintenance that is consistent and streamlined, ensuring the navy has the vessels it needs, where and when needed.”

Mr Dutton said the contract contained incentives to ensure regional small and medium businesses would have a fair opportunity to compete for work.

He said the RMC North East was the first of four maintenance centres to be developed at strategic ports with the remainder being located at Henderson (WA), Darwin and Sydney.

The HMAS Adelaide arrives in Cairns. On January 19, Cairns-based NORSTA Maritime was named as the Regional Maintenance Provider to deliver the Cairns Regional Maintenance Centre – otherwise known as RMC North East – in a five-year $70m contract with the Royal Australian Navy.

Mr Dutton also announced the Government’s decision to extend a contract of $14.3m with BAE Systems Australia for the in-service support arrangements of the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of Hydrographic platforms which are also based in Cairns and support 60 local jobs.

Hydrographic work entails nautical charting and producing surveys of items which can affect maritime navigation such as dredging, marine construction, and mapping shorelines, tides, currents and include all observations required to ensure safety of navigation.

“This contract extension recognises the outstanding partnership between Defence and BAE Systems Australia as we continue to the support the important work delivered by the defence industry in FNQ,” Mr Dutton said.

Mr Entsch insisted the region would benefit from the commitment.

“It’s real reason to celebrate,” he said.

“The is great for Cairns.”

Originally published as Navy maintenance contract to boost job opportunities in Cairns