Jobs boost promised

A SYDNEY-based company has beaten a number of businesses with a “local presence” to win a $28m contract for early works construction at the Cairns Marine Precinct.

While SMC Marine owner Pete Philipp could not confirm the number of jobs the contract would deliver to Far North Queensland, he did say that specialist skills would be absolutely sourced locally.

“It’s early days in terms of planning but we can say we brought the most local contractors through, out of all the tenders,” he said.

“It’s not just the number of jobs, it’s the skills we’re going to bring – engineers, draftsmen, riggers, crane drivers … plus a whole lot of overlap with marine support. They’re well-paying jobs, jobs that will see people put their roots in Cairns. We’re really careful to maximise local procurement because it’s better for us all.”

Ports North general manager corporate services Kerry Egerton confirmed a number of contractors with a local presence submitted tenders for the marine precinct contract, but SMC Marine was chosen because it provided the best value tender and were using a number of local subcontractors.

“Local benefits was part of the selection criteria as well as value for money,” said Ms Egerton.

“(SMC Marine) have committed to engaging extensively with local subcontractors and developing specialist marine construction skills in the region.”

The $28m project will include construction of an 80m double-sided wharf, a 50m wharf with heavy-duty pavements, a 40m approach jetty and crane pad that can support up to 200tonne mobile cranes.

Ms Egerton said these early works were an important step in expanding the Cairns Marine Precinct’s capacity to meet the needs of the industry.

“The delivery of the two new wharves will expand the port’s capacity to undertake in-water maintenance on vessels used by the Cairns Marine Precinct’s shipyards, including commercial ships, Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force vessels,” she said.

SMC has already locked in several local companies as subcontractors, including HEH Civil for construction of the heavy-duty pavement, JGP Electrical for electrical services and Tacoma Plumbing NQ for hydraulics and plumbing. Carpentaria Contracting are also slated to provide marine support during the project.

Works are due to be completed in February 2023.