Delivering the infrastructure Cairns needs to thrive

The Australian Government is continuing to deliver the community and road infrastructure the Cairns region needs to stay safely connected, prosper and thrive.

Today Minister Catherine King and Senator Nita Green announced the imminent completion of the Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access – Stage 3 – Edmonton to Gordonvale project; a $535 million project to which the Australian Government committed $428 million.

The Australian Government is also delivering significant support for Cairns under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. This includes $13.9 million across all four phases supporting Cairns Regional Council to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects, creating jobs and long-lasting benefits for the region.

$9.1 million is also being delivered from 2019-20 to 2023-24 under the Roads for Recovery program, which supports construction and maintenance of local road infrastructure assets. This is in addition to over $900,000 for projects under the Black Spot Program, tackling high-risk road crash sites.

The Cairns Marine Precinct, which the Australian Government has committed $180 million towards, is on track to begin later this year. This is expected to create 460 construction jobs while delivering a 5,000-tonne ship-lift, three ship hardstand areas and other components – which will support bigger ships and contracts coming in, underpinning more revenue and local jobs.

The Australian Government has also committed $50 million for the construction of a new, purpose-built Cairns CBD campus for the Central Queensland University, to accommodate a greater number of students and diversify the region’s higher education options.

Through the Investing in Our Communities Program opened earlier this year, the government is delivering on its election commitments to Cairns, which include a $1.7 million commitment for the Cairns Cricket Club Association and $290,000 in commitments for the Cairns Regional Council.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“Whether it’s through improvements to the Bruce Highway or our investments in the Black Spot Program or Roads to Recovery, we are delivering the upgrades that get people home safely, get people home quickly and support connected a community.”

Quotes attributable to Senator for Queensland Nita Green:

"Whether it's our roads, in education or with community infrastructure that supports the jobs and opportunities of regional Queenslanders, the Albanese Government is delivering for far north Queenslanders.

"I look forward to seeing how these investments continue to support our region now and into the future.”