‘Hundreds of millions’ earmarked for ‘game changing’ port upgrade
Plans for new wharves within a “game changing” Cairns port development are already underway as the state government lays a foundation for a “very significant” marine development spend. KNOW WHAT THE PROJECT IS
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Plans for new wharves within the Cairns marine precinct to accommodate a 5000-tonne ship-lift are already underway as the state government lays a foundation for a “very significant” marine development spend.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced on Friday, the release of the Cairns Marine Precinct Infrastructure Investment business case from the Tropical Reef Shipyard.
Described as a “game changing” development by Cairns marine stakeholders at the announcement, the common user facility is expected to deliver a ship-lift to accommodate vessels up to 120m at the Fearnley St public boat ramp, painting bays, blasting facilities and hardstands to be used in the repair and maintenance of defence, commercial and recreational vessels.
Mr Miles said it was an opportune time shore up funding, expected to be delivered through a federal-state 80:20 split.
“With a federal election just around the corner. Now is the time to lock in those commitments from both parties at a federal level,” he said.
“I understand the tenders for the new wharves are out at the moment, but this longer term vision will require very significant investment.
“We want to sit down with other levels of government and work through their level of interest in investment … what the Department of Defence plans are for this area and for the future contracts that we might be able to do.
“In terms of stage one, that’s running in the order of hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Advance Cairns, based on the cost of a recent Darwin port expansion will be advocating for between $300-$400m from both tiers of government to get the project delivered.
Major marine players, Tropical Reef Shipyard, Norship and Austal have backed the investment in what had Ports North chair Russell Beer convinced of Cairns jobs boom.
“This really is a game changer,” he said.
“I think realistically (we are) talking about 1000s of new jobs over the next decade.”
Tropical Reef Shipyard general manager Robert Downing said positions would provide generations of income for Cairns workers.
“It’s not an insignificant proposal,” he said.
“(The project) will put the port in line with the other states and really take the marine precinct to it’s full benefits and opportunities,” he said.
Following a $70m, five-year naval ship maintenance contract won by Cairns joint venture NORSTA last week, Norship chief executive Olav Groot said the marine expansion plan would truly cement Cairns as a gateway to the Pacific region.
“It’s another piece of the puzzle that we need to enhance and develop this beautiful port,” he said.
“We look forward to the master plan for the port, which undoubtedly will be hot on its heels.
“And naturally we look forward to securing the investment that needs to go hand-in-hand with realising the vision that’s been outlined here for the port.”
Advance Cairns executive chairman Nick Trompf described the marine infrastructure vision as a “step-change opportunity” for the region.
“This can transform what has been a great industry over many, many decades into a whole new era of growth,” he said.
“So it’s very, very exciting (and) now’s the time for federal and state governments to step up and show us the money to bring it to life.”
Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch welcomed the common use facility and working with the state government.
“Let’s see what they are going to put on the table and I’m sure there’s money from the Feds and the operators have reasonably good bank balances,” he said.
He proposed an independent investor oversee the ship-lift operations to ensure all stakeholders got a fair crack.
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