- $4.5 million investment in critical maritime infrastructure at Cairncross Dockyards through the Crisafulli Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund.
- Two new cranes will deliver the heavy-lift capability needed to undertake large-scale defence and commercial vessel maintenance, repair and sustainment activities in Queensland.
- Sovereign Industry Development Fund is accelerating the growth of the Defence, Biomedical and Biofuels industries and building sovereign capability in Queensland after a decade of decline under Labor.
- Investment follows the Crisafulli Government declaring the $2.5 billion Cairncross Dockyard project a Prescribed Project, to streamline assessment and approvals.
The Crisafulli Government is boosting Queensland’s defence industry through the revitalisation of Australia’s second largest graving dock with an investment of $4.5 million for critical maritime maintenance infrastructure.
The investment through the flagship $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund will support the acquisition and installation of two large cranes at the Cairncross Dockyard.
The 1,200-tonne and 400-tonne cranes arms the facility with the heavy-lift capability needed to undertake large-scale defence and commercial vessel maintenance, repair and sustainment activities in Queensland.
The investment supports delivery of the broader $2.5 billion Cairncross Dockyard project, which the Crisafulli Government has declared a prescribed project to help streamline approvals and support the re-establishment of a major graving dock on the Brisbane River for maritime maintenance.
The Cairncross Dockyard on Brisbane’s southside has been a critical asset for Queensland’s maritime and defence industry since its establishment in 1942 during World War II.
Once operational, the broader Cairncross Dockyard project will create more than 1,000 direct jobs and support thousands more across manufacturing, logistics and supply chains.
This expansion is expected to strengthen Queensland’s sovereign maritime sustainment capability and reduce reliance on interstate and overseas shipyards.
The Sovereign Industry Development Fund is revitalising Queensland’s industrial base by funding projects that help build a stronger, more resilient Queensland economy, attract private investment and secure long-term jobs and economic growth.
Through the Sovereign Industry Development Fund, the Crisafulli Government is strengthening defence industry capability by supporting projects that expand manufacturing, sustainment, testing and support services, and build more resilient sovereign supply chains aligned with Australia’s long‑term defence needs.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the investment was arming and strengthening Queensland’s sovereign maritime capability.
“Queensland has an important role to play in supporting Australia’s defence capability, and this funding will help strengthen that by enabling more ship repair, maintenance and sustainment work to be undertaken right here in Queensland,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“The Crisafulli Government has already backed the broader Cairncross Dockyard project through the prescribed project declaration, and this investment is another step towards reactivating the dockyard as a major ship repair and sustainment facility.
“After a decade of decline under Labor, Queensland can’t afford more talk and missed opportunities and the Crisafulli Government is backing investment-ready projects that will strengthen Queensland’s sovereign industries, create skilled jobs and deliver long-term economic growth.
“Unlike Labor, we’re investing in projects that are ready to proceed and will deliver real outcomes for Queenslanders, not more thought bubbles or glossy brochures.
“We’re backing investment-ready projects that support industry growth, jobs and sovereign capability while positioning Queensland as a leading location for defence and maritime industry development.”
Cairncross Dockyard Managing Director Ben Quin said the funding would help progress the reactivation of the dockyard.
“This investment is an important step towards bringing large-scale ship repair and sustainment work back to Queensland,” Mr Quin said.
“The installation of a 1,200-tonne crane will provide the heavy-lift capability needed to operate the new lift-in/lift-out (LILO) dock gate for the graving dock and will also provide the capacity to lift vessels up to 600T from the graving dock pool to support commercial and defence maritime operations.
“The 400-tonne support crane will be used to establish the 1,200-tonne crane on site and support dockyard construction and quayside operations.
“Support through the Sovereign Industry Development Fund will help accelerate the project and move us closer to our vision of re-establishing Cairncross Dockyard as a world-class ship repair and sustainment hub for Queensland.”
