$150m funding secured for Cairns Marine Precinct expansion project

A $300 million expansion of the Cairns Marine Precinct in Queensland is another step closer to becoming a reality as the Australian Government invests $150 million. 

Previously, the Queensland Government committed $150 million towards this project that will allow the maintenance, repair and overhaul of more and larger ships in the precinct. 

“Delivering the Cairns Marine Precinct Common User Facility is an investment aimed squarely at cementing the region's status as a world leader for maintenance, repair and overhaul for defence and recreational vessels, including superyachts. 

“This investment will help secure the future of the 4,600 jobs supported by the Cairns region’s marine sector. 

“This region is a strategic and economic centre for northern Australia and the Common User Facility is at the heart of that critical role,” Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

The multi-million-dollar project will deliver a new Common User Facility at the Cairns Marine Precinct and it will include a 5,000-tonne ship lift that will enable vessels up to 120 metres long to be repaired and maintained on hardstand areas. 

The expansion will also include two facilities for blasting and painting vessels as well as more capacity for wet berths. 

The Cairns Marine Precinct expansion is anticipated to open more economic opportunities for the region and enable Cairns to capitalise on the projected growth in defence, commercial and tourist activities. 

The $150 million commitment from the Australian Government is going to be included in the upcoming 2022-23 Federal Budget announcement. 

“The Albanese Labor Government sees a future in Australian manufacturing, and a future for manufacturing in regional Queensland. That’s what this investment shows. 

“This funding will transform our local marine maintenance industry, creating more secure jobs for locals and creating more opportunity for business. 

“Regional Queensland can and should be the home of secure manufacturing jobs. The Albanese Labor Government will bring manufacturing back to our regions where it belongs,” Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef and Senator for Queensland Nita Green said. 

Approximately 150 local jobs are set to be created through the construction of the new Common User Facility at the Cairns Marine Precinct. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Queensland Government – State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning; Advance Cairns