LABOR’S POWER PLAY
State helps federal mates in $150m marine hub splash
LABOR has mounted a $300m rampart against Warren Entsch in Leichhardt with the state government splashing big money in support of its federal counterpart.
The Queensland government will today announce $150m to match federal Labor’s own $150m commitment to build a new common-user facility in the Cairns marine precinct.
LABOR has mounted a $300m rampart against Warren Entsch in Leichhardt with the state government splashing big money in support of its federal counterpart.
The Queensland government will today announce $150m to match federal Labor’s own $150m commitment to build a new commonuser facility in the Cairns marine precinct.
It brings the total commitment to $300m – but only if Anthony Albanese becomes prime minister or the Coalition offers bipartisan support.
The project will include a 5000-tonne lift capable of hoisting ships up to 120m for dryland maintenance on new hard-stand areas, which also needs to be built.
Annastacia Palaszczuk said the work would allow Cairns to capture bigger defence and maritime projects.
“Cairns is the leading maintenance, repair and overhaul destination for defence and recreational vessels, including superyachts, across Australia, ” the Premier said.
“Expanding the Cairns Marine Precinct with a common-user facility will ensure Cairns can keep up with demand and continue to remain a world leader in maritime manufacturing and repairs.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a big impact on the Cairns economy and expanding the Cairns marine precinct will help diversify the Cairns economy.
“My government has now locked-in our $150m investment in the future of the Cairns marine sector and the 4600 jobs it supports.”
The clever tactic defuses one of Mr Entsch’s biggest criticisms of Labor’s commitment thus far, that $150m would barely scratch the surface of the funding that would ultimately be required.
The Coalition has made a $24m commitment for upgrades across the city’s existing three slipways.
Mr Entsch has repeatedly stated the major commonuser facility project could not be funded until Ports North released its new masterplan and secured a site. A government spokeswoman estimated the facility’s cost at $300m-$360m, saying state Labor would pay half.
Mr Entsch has previously stated it could cost as much as $500m-$700m to build the project properly on the reclaimed swampland that has been proposed, but not explicitly locked down.
Regardless, the Queensland government’s pledge suddenly makes Leichhardt
candidate Elida Faith’s proposal much more feasible.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles will be in Cairns on Wednesday to make the announcement.
“We will now seek a costsharing arrangement with the Australian government to ensure more Queensland jobs and economic growth,” he said. “We now have the opportunity to cement Cairns as a leading marine maintenance, repair and overhaul hub with one of the few Australian ports offering both in water and land facility expansion opportunities to the Department of Defence.
“There are significant opportunities for the Cairns marine industry to increase its support of the surging commercial and tourism vessel market, including the growing superyacht sector.
“We have an opportunity in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics to leverage the massive growth the tourism vessel and superyacht industry will experience.
“There will also be two facilities for blasting and painting vessels and more capacity for wet berths.”
Advance Cairns chairman Nick Trompf said the announcement all but guaranteed the project going ahead.
“With them committing to fund half of this facility regardless of who wins Saturday’s election, that means just like James Cook University’s medical placements, the common user facility in Cairns will become a reality as well,” he said. “Negotiations may take longer if the LNP wins but the fact the state is willing to fund half gives us enormous confidence this project will come to fruition in the fullness of time.”