While the Port of Cairns is a State Government asset, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles is calling on the Federal Government to help fund the project, ahead of this year’s budget delivery and election.
The publicly available business case doesn’t include costings, but Tropic Now understands significant investment in the hundreds of millions of dollars is required.
##PQ2##
“Providing opportunities for industry and local maritime businesses to be more involved in maintenance work, a common user facility and associated infrastructure would be a further boost for local shipyards.”
Already, the Cairns Marine Precinct and its supply chain employs about 4,600 people.
Tropical Reef Shipyard Business Development Manager Andrew Wagner said the plan would definintely help grow the industry.
“We’re pretty excited, it will be good for Cairns and grow a larger workforce,” he said.
“We think it’s the right thing and it needs to be done properly so it does meet future requirements.”
The completion of the business case follows last week’s announcement that Norsta Marine – a joint venture between Norship and Tropical Reef Shipyard – has secured a $70-million Defence contract for the Regional Maintenance Centre North East.
