Green lights for fully funded Cairns Marine Precinct

• The Palaszczuk Government invests a further $30m to deliver full funding of the new Common User Facility at the Cairns Marine Precinct
• 5000-tonne shiplift, worth $360 million, will be fully funded by Federal and State Labor Governmentst

The Palaszczuk Government has announced another $30 million for the Cairns Marine Precinct, delivering full funding and green lights for the Cairns Marine Precinct Common User Facility (CUF).

The $360 million facility includes a 5000-tonne shiplift, allowing ships of up to 120 metres in length to be repaired and maintained on three hardstand areas.

The CUF will have state-of-the-art facilities, such as the two climate-controlled sheds which will allow for 24-hour operation of blasting and painting vessels.

The Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) will be integral to the CUF. The SPMT is a platform heavy hauler with a large array of wheels which are able to be positioned in any direction allowing the manoeuvre of large vessels from the shiplift to the sheds and the three hard stand areas.

The project will also include more capacity for wet berths to allow for additional in-water maintenance.

This additional $30 million completes the project’s funding requirements in line with the detailed Business Case recommendations.

This commitment follows the Australian Government’s confirmation of matched funding in this year’s Federal Budget.

Additionally, in May, the Palaszczuk Government’s announced $27 million will go toward a road upgrade and bridge to give shipyards direct access to the Cairns Marine Precinct’s common user facility and $12 million will be invested in establishing a fund to revamp facilities at local shipyards.

As part of the Budget, the Palaszczuk Government’s is also providing a $1.6 billion investment in Torres and Cape and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services to deliver even better access to healthcare across the region.

This Budget also increases infrastructure spending for the region to $1.7 billion.

$37 million will be invested in a range of projects at the Cairns Hospital – notably early works on the $250 million Cairns Hospital Expansion which will deliver a new surgical centre with 96 extra beds to expand capacity and meet the needs of the community into the future.

An investment of $7.1 million is also provided for the Atherton Hospital redevelopment and $9.5 million towards the redevelopment of Thursday Island Hospital.

The Queensland Government is continuing to invest in education and will provide $79.9 million to maintain, improve and upgrade schools in the region to ensure all students have access to world class education.

An additional $206.5 million from this Budget will be invested to expand and improve social housing in Cairns and Far North Queensland, as well as an additional $17.7 million to provide services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

This Budget continues to invest in recreation and culture to enhance the region’s great lifestyle. This includes $10.4 million for construction of the 94km Wangetti Trail to provide a walking and mountain biking track from Palm Cove to Port Douglas and $900,000 for construction of splash parks in Port Douglas and Mosman.

The government is providing $1.48 billion in this Budget to support households and small businesses facing cost of living pressures, including a $550 electricity bill cost of living rebate for all households, up to $1,072 in total rebates for vulnerable households and $650 for eligible small businesses.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Cameron Dick:

“An additional $30m for the Cairns Marine Precinct is the final piece of the puzzle to deliver the new shiplift for Cairns”

“The new Common User Facility will mean more and larger ships can be repaired, overhauled or maintained in the far north.

“As a location, Cairns is already the leading region for marine and defence maintenance, and this expansion adds to its importance in delivering for these industries.

“This follows equal funding announced by the Albanese Labor Government in their most recent budget.

“We are committed to working together to get the best outcomes for Queenslanders.”

“With $1.6 billion for Cairns and Far North Queensland healthcare, we’ll hire more doctors, nurses and ambos for the region, adding to the 321 extra doctors and 69 extra ambulance officers our government has delivered since 2015.

"From Atherton to Aurukun, our increased health spending is about ensuring that Queenslanders can get access to the medical care they need.

“Our ‘Big Build’ infrastructure spend will support around 4,900 jobs in the region and help grow the economy by enhancing Cairns Marina and improving health infrastructure across Far North Queensland.

“A record $25.8 billion state-wide investment in health and hospitals, and major funding for schools, roads and transport will further enhance Queensland as a great place to live.

“This Budget continues our commitment to improving outcomes for students and teachers in the region, we are upgrading schools in Gordonvale, Weipa, Woree and Malanda to provide these communities with better facilities to enable students to thrive.

“We are providing a significant additional electricity bill relief that will more than offset typical electricity bill increases in 2023-24, as part of more than $8.2 billion available in concessions in 2023-24.

“This includes a $550 Cost of Living Rebate for all Queensland households, with vulnerable Queensland households to receive a total of $1,072 in electricity bill rebates.”

Quotes attributable to Cairns MP Michael Healy:

“This major expansion to the Cairns Marine Precinct will undoubtedly capture more and larger maritime and defence contracts, boosting the local economy and jobs.

“A project that meets demand, attracts contracts, and supports more than 4600 jobs is a big win for Cairns.

“Since the detailed business case was completed, important work has continued including site testing and progressing development approvals, as well as development of the delivery model and construction timeline.

“The Federal Government’s further investment is very welcome, and coupled with our additional funding, will ensure the CUF is a world-leader in its field.”

Others Cairns-Far North Queensland Budget investments include:

• $1.7 million to replace the Mer (Murray) Island Primary Health Care Centre to meet the future healthcare needs of the community.
• $752,400 for the Multi-Island Fuel Infrastructure Replacement project to ensure remote communities have safe and reliable diesel and petrol.
• $6 million to upgrade the Horn Island passenger jetty and wharf head.
• $672,757 to expand the Horn Island affordable housing project to provide safe and affordable opportunities for Indigenous homebuyers
• $3 million for the rectification and replacement of end of life non-compliant hydraulic pipelines at Bamaga Hospital
• $1 million to upgrade the Cullen Point campground in Mapoon and to develop a historical interpretation walk of the mission village sites in the old Mapoon precinct.
• $10.3 million for the Western Cape College at Weipa to construct a new building for additional learning spaces.
• $100,000 for the Coen Airport to upgrade community infrastructure.
• $450,327 for the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program to protect cultural heritage values in Mareeba and Palmerville Station.
• $343.7 million to exercise the rights to 157 megawatts of renewable energy capacity from a new wind farm in the Atherton Tablelands
• $3.3 million for maintenance of existing assets at Baron Gorge Hydro.
• $750,000 for Cairns Safer Streets and Midnight Basketball to engage young people and minimise risk of anti-social behaviour
• $1.4 million to upgrade the police facility at Cairns
• $8 million to expand TAFE Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef International Marine College
• $1.1 million to upgrade the intersection of Foster Road and the Bruce Highway.
• $754,000 to construct specialist classrooms at Gordonvale State Hight School
• $12 million to build standardised staff accommodation to assist staff retention at rural and remote hospital and healthcare facilities
• $3 million redevelopment of the Atherton Neighbourhood Centre
• $6 million toward upgrading the Captain Cook Hwy between Cairns and Smithfield
• $30.9 million toward duplicating the Cairns Western Arterial Rd between Redlynch Connector Rd and the Captain Cook Hwy

ENDS

Media contact: Campbell Gellie 0433 987 744