$360m Marine Precinct upgrade to ‘grow economic pie’ of Cairns
Cairns’ $360m marine precinct upgrade is key to the city’s growth, but there are concerns whether the region can retain the labour force to needed to meet the project’s potential.
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A need to diversify Cairn’s economy beyond tourism as well as meeting Australia’s defence needs are at the core of the $360m upgrade to the Cairns Marine Precinct, an industry luncheon has heard.
But there are concerns whether the region can retain the labour force to needed to meet the project’s potential.
Construction on a new Common User Facility at the Cairns Marine Precinct is set to start at the end of this year, as the federal government eyes off deeper engagement with the Pacific.
The facility, funded by joint contributions of $180m from both federal and state governments, includes a 5000-tonne shoplift, allowing ships of up to 120 metres in length to be repaired and maintained on three handstand areas.
The Cairns Chamber Commerce hosted a Maritime / Marine & Defence Industry luncheon on Tuesday, featuring key industry stakeholders to discuss the economic and multiplier effects of the many developments, including the workforce requirements now and into the future.
Nick Masasso, director of economic development and advocacy with Cairns Regional Council told the audience at a packed ballroom at the Hilton Cairns that marine industry “has one the highest salaries in the region”, adding $741m a year to the $10bn Cairns economy”.
He said the marine precinct project would mean its contribution will soon be worth even more.
Kelsey Ormsby, FNQ regional director, Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning told the luncheon the project was “broader than serving defence needs”.
“The other element is growing the economic pie in Cairns. This project will also grow services and connectivity.”
The State Government has also committed a further $27m for road and bridge upgrades to give shipyards direct access to the precinct’s common user facility, and $12m for establishing a fund to revamp facilities at local shipyards.
Mr Ormsby said the project was designed to “diversify the economy in Cairns” beyond tourism.
He said the project would give Cairns the main marine facility in Northern Australia
But there are some concerns about whether there will be enough skilled labour in the region to meet the expanded facility’s needs.
A skills analysis conducted by Maritime Safety Queensland found a shortage of specialised on-water jobs and a lack of qualified staff in certain marine operations.
This was also endorsed by an independent Maritime Industry Consultation Group.
Patricia O’Neill, CEO of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the issue was magnified in Cairns because unemployment now sits at 2.9%
She told the Cairns Post she wanted to see more education for senior school students about the benefits of a career in the maritime industry.
“I think once these kids realise they could be making $140,000 a year we will stop seeing them leaving to go to Central Queensland to make mining jobs.”
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