Cairns secures $84m-plus Navy work

Cairns-based NORSTA Maritime has won a $70 million contract to provide maintenance services for the Royal Australian Navy. Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the contract would offer long-term employment opportunities for the region. “As more naval ships are maintained here in Cairns, more Defence and industry personnel will be required, which will further support long-term local jobs and diversify our economy,” Mr Entsch said. The Defence contract win will see NORSTA deliver the Cairns Regional Maintenance Centre – otherwise known as RMC North East. Federal Defence Minister Peter Dutton has also announced a one-year contract extension with BAE Systems Australia for the in-service support arrangements of the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of hydrographic platforms, based in Cairns. “The extension of the current support arrangements at a value of $14.3 million provides certainty for Defence industry and will support sixty local jobs in Cairns,” he said. Leeuwin Class hydrographic survey ship HMAS Leeuwin. “This contract extension recognises the outstanding partnership between Defence, BAE Systems Australia as we continue to the support the important work delivered by defence industry in North Queensland.” BAE has built a skilled local workforce of more than 120 people since its first maritime program in Cairns in 2000. “This contract extension reflects our continued focus to look for more innovative ways to support the fleet and increase our competitiveness,“ BAE Systems Maritime Australia managing director Craig Lockhart said. "The Hydrographic In Service Support Contract demonstrates an important industrial capability which has been built up over many years in Cairns to meet the needs of the Royal Australian Navy." Local business engagement push in NORSTA contract The RMC North East is the first of four maintenance centres to be developed at strategic ports around the country — in Cairns, Henderson (WA), Darwin and Sydney. It is scheduled to be operating by the end of this year and will initially support the evolved Cape class patrol boats. Mr Dutton said the five-year NORSTA contract contained incentives to ensure local and regional small and medium businesses were given a fair opportunity to compete for work. “This model will build Australian Industry Capability, with local industry set to benefit from reduced barriers to entry and administrative overheads, as well as greater certainty and predictability so that they can better plan and invest,” he said. “As the Regional Maintenance Provider in Cairns, NORSTA Maritime will be a vital part of the integrated workforce, performing management services, coordinating and scheduling maintenance and developing and stewarding sovereign sustainment capability.” NORSTA Maritime is described as an Australian sovereign entity underwritten by Norship and Tropical Reef Shipyard, with Nova Systems and Secora Australasia as partners.

Cairns secures $84m-plus Navy work

Industry Queensland

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