Queensland government to invest $39 million in shipyard infrastructure upgrades

The Queensland government is investing $39 million for the execution of infrastructure projects that will support the activities of shipyards in the state.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said $27 million will be committed over two years from 2023 to provide direct access from the Norship Marine and Austal shipyards to the common user facility planned for the precinct at Portsmith. It will fund a 1.2-kilometre road upgrade with increased load capacity and a 30-metre bridge allowing the two shipyards, and potentially others, to lift vessels out of their facilities and access the common user facility using existing travel lifts.

Vessels of up to 57 metres in length could access the common user facility via the designated route.

Another $12 million has been earmarked for local shipyards to upgrade existing facilities within the Cairns Marine Precinct.

The funding, administered through the Industry Partnership Program, will be subject to matched industry funding and satisfactory business cases.

The upgrades aim to help industry meet growing demand in ship maintenance work while the $300 million common user facility is being built. This will allow shipyards and other future entrants to lift vessels out of their facilities and access the common user facility using their existing travel lifts.

Once complete, the common user facility will feature ship lift facilities capable of lifting vessels measuring up to 120 metres long and displacing 5,000 tonnes, three hardstand areas, and two paint and blast sheds.

Subject to matched funding from the Australian Government, the facility is scheduled to be finished in by 2028 and up and running soon afterwards.