The Palaszczuk Government has fast tracked the jobs generating $30 million Cairns Marine Precinct upgrades.
Acting Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the Queensland Government has fast tracked the next stage investing $2 million to complete the Cairns Marine Precinct Infrastructure Investment Business Case.
"We're already progressing to business case stage, which is part of the Palaszczuk Government's investment of $30 million to upgrade the Cairns Marine Precinct for the future development of the Precinct," he said.
"This is part of our government's economic recovery plan to invest in jobs generating projects and get them off the ground.
"The business case is a crucial further step towards leveraging ongoing maintenance maritime work for the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Border Force, and super yachts."
Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the fast-tracked business case will mean more jobs being delivered sooner.
"Thanks to the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to Cairns' economic recovery the business case will be completed even sooner than even the most optimistic among us thought," Mr Healy said.
"This means we'll be fast tracking the jobs the Cairns Marine Precinct will deliver and we'll be kickstarting the entire region's economic recovery.
"The new $30 million investment will cover the business case as well as vital infrastructure, to increase common user wharfage to support increased in-water sustainment of naval and other vessels, including upgrade of services to existing facilities."
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt welcomed the Queensland Government's investment in Far North Queensland.
"We went to the last election with a bold plan for the region's economic recovery and we're already delivering it," Mr Pitt said.
"Already the Queensland Government has begun the work to develop Cairns Port's marine industry and upgrade vital infrastructure.
"We have also completed the $127 million project to deepen and widen Trinity Inlet, allowing it to welcome larger cruise ships, defence and cargo vessels.
"Our region's economic recovery is well and truly underway thanks to our Government's commitment to the region," Mr Pitt said.
The business case is a vital first step to determine infrastructure requirements at the Cairns Marine Precinct and broader development of the port's marine industry including specialist infrastructure accessible by all shipyards.
The final business case is expected be completed by the end of 2021. This timing will allow investment decisions to be made in time for operators within the Cairns Marine Precinct to successfully bid for future naval sustainment, maintenance and overhaul work.
Ports North's Chairman Russell Beer commended the Queensland Government's commitment to the projects and moving swiftly to business case stage.
"We're well on our way to realising this important project that supports the long term development of the Port of Cairns," Mr Beer said.
The initiative aligns with the Queensland Government's Defence Industries 10-year Roadmap and Action Plan, which is focused on growing capability in the state and supporting Queensland defence firms to access new opportunities and create new jobs.
