The Commonwealth will provide $24 million in funding towards the upgrade of the Cairns Marine Precinct, a critical support for facility for the ADF.
Agreements have now been signed with Norship Marine, BSE Cairns Slipways and Tropical Reef Shipyard with funding now to flow from the Government to undertake a variety of works to increase the capability and capacity of the existing shipyards.
The projects will include over 170m of wharf construction, upgrades to electrical and fire systems, workshop construction, security systems, hardstand resurfacing and construction of an additional 135m of slipway rail.
“More than $400 million of maintenance work on the replacement fleet of up to 21 Pacific Patrol Boards will be conducted here,” Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said.
Local MP Warren Entsch said the delivery of this commitment will ensure Cairns is well placed to secure additional maintenance and sustainment work for commercial customers and the Royal Australian Navy.
“Over 1,300 people are employed in the shipbuilding, repair and service sectors in the region.”
The $24 million investment is in addition to the Federal Government’s $420 million investment to develop additional wharf space and other support facilities at HMAS Cairns.
While the Government is investing in the upgrades, the works themselves will be managed by the shipyards involved.