Australian Government on board with Cairns Marine Precinct expansion

Joint media release by The Hon Catherine King MP with Senator Nita Green, Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator for Queensland on Wednesday, 19 October 2022.

The Australian Government will contribute $150 million towards the $300 million expansion of the Cairns Marine Precinct.

This investment, to be delivered in a 50/50 partnership with the Queensland Government, will enable the maintenance, repair and overhaul of more and bigger ships.

A new Common User Facility at the precinct will include a 5,000-tonne ship-lift, enabling ships up to 120 metres long to be repaired and maintained on hardstand areas.

It is expected the expansion will open the region to more economic opportunities and enable Cairns to capitalise on the anticipated growth in commercial, defence and tourist activities.

The $150 million commitment will be included in this month’s Federal Budget.

The construction of the new Common User Facility at the Cairns Marine Precinct is anticipated to support up to 150 local jobs.

The Budget also delivers on the Government’s $50 million commitment to the Central Queensland University – Cairns CBD campus.

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“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.”

Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef and Senator for Queensland Nita Green:

“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.”