Cairns Marine Precinct

Benefits to the region

• Greater integration and collaboration between the Department of Defence and defence industry.
• Support and create increased sovereign capability and strong and resilient supply chains.
• Support industry through provision of long-term continuous sustainment programs.

The Cairns Marine Precinct (CMP) has continued to face rapidly growing demand domestically and globally, with maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers operating at or near capacity and struggling to meet market demand.

Federal and state governments have committed $387m towards the delivery of a maritime Common User Facility (CUF) to increase the capacity and capability of the CMP, allowing the precinct to capitalise on future defence and maritime industry business. Since the development of the state government’s detailed business case in 2022, ownership and delivery of the project has transitioned to Ports North in late 2024, which necessitated a review into the estimated cost and scope of the project. This review subsequently identified several assumptions and estimates which were inconsistent with the requirements of the project, and required a recast of the cost estimate. This revised estimate was considerably more than the currently committed $387m.

Ports North is now undertaking a reassessment of scoping and cost estimates to ensure the delivery of a commercially viable CUF which meets industry needs.

Funding
$387m state and federal funding committed.
Ports North is now preparing a business case optimisation report that will consider various scoping options. The report is scheduled to be completed in February 2025 and will recommend the scope and additional funding required to support the construction of a commercially viable CUF that meets industry needs.
The CUF design, and plans for relocation of assets required to make way for the project, is currently underway.

The TAFE Queensland Great Barrier Reef International Marine College, located within the Cairns Marine Precinct, continues to expand its range of industry-leading marine training capabilities, offering domestic and international students specialised maritime training, including the delivery of Defence’s Pacific Maritime Training Services.

The provision of mandatory training for mariners across commercial and defence vessels, a material maritime skills shortage and the anticipated training required to support Regional Maintenance Centre North East, combine to see the current campus unable to meet growing demand.

In the 2023-24 Queensland Budget, the government committed $16m to deliver an extra 2,675m² for a new workshop, additional classrooms, staff facilities and a boat shed as well as increased training opportunities.

Funding
This project was funded by the Queensland Government. Construction expected to commence in Q1 2024 with completion by mid-2025.

HMAS Cairns, Australia’s northernmost naval base on the eastern seaboard, plays a crucial role in national defence and security, supporting over 900 Navy and civilian personnel. With the recent Defence Strategic Review (DSR) highlighting the need to upgrade northern bases, the Australian Government has committed $240 million to expand HMAS Cairns to accommodate new Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessels.

However, the defence industry faces uncertainty due to delays in releasing the Surface Fleet Review, which is vital for enabling industry preparation and maintaining Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities. Expedited clarity and engagement are urgently needed to support future Defence operations.

The Cairns Marine Precinct (CMP) is grappling with rapidly increasing demand both domestically and globally, pushing local maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers to their limits. To address the anticipated market needs through 2055, the federal and state governments have committed $360 million towards the development of a maritime Common User Facility (CUF). While this investment promises significant growth opportunities for the region, the CUF is not expected to be operational until late 2028 at the earliest. Consequently, a $12 million investment is urgently needed to upgrade existing infrastructure and support the region’s three major shipyards in the interim. This funding would enhance the precinct's capacity to meet current demand, particularly with the ongoing regeneration of Australia's naval capabilities. Additionally, it would enable the Cairns Marine Precinct to maintain its critical role in supporting the national defence and maritime sectors while advocating for the home porting of at least four Offshore Patrol Vessels at HMAS Cairns.

Precinct map

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