Road reserve closure supports Cairns Marine Precinct

Council has approved an application from Ports North for the permanent closure of a road reserve running off Cook St, Portsmith, to assist with the development of the Cairns Marine Precinct.

The road reserve will be amalgamated with the adjacent Ports North lot, which has been set aside for the Cairns Marine Precinct (CMP).

State and Federal governments have committed $360 million in funding ($180 million each) to the project – a maritime maintenance, repair, and overhaul hub for defence, commercial and international vessels, and is regarded as pivotal to the city’s economy.

The facility will include a new Common User Facility (CUF), featuring a 5000-tonne shiplift, allowing ships of up to 120 metres in length to be repaired and maintained on three hardstand areas.

The CUF will have state-of-the-art facilities, such as the two climate-controlled sheds which will allow for 24-hour operation of blasting and painting vessels.

As part of the agreement endorsed today, Council will be provided ongoing access along the entire length of Fearnley St drain, between Cook and Comport streets, for maintenance of the drain, banks and creek bed de-siltation works.