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Cairns Patrol Boat Bid loss a massive blow for Northern Australia
ADVANCE CAIRNS believes that yesterday’s Government announcement that the tender for construction of 21 steel-hulled Pacific Patrol Boats has been awarded to Perth is a blow to the Northern Australian community.
Advance Cairns Acting CEO Rob Giason, expressed his disappointment saying, “Cairns put together an extremely professional and competitive bid that was based on proven experience and well developed expertise within the region.
“This decision represents a massive loss for Northern Australia and will have a genuine impact on downstream infrastructure development. It was always going to be a David and Goliath battle - as a regional and remote area bidding against a major population centre such as Perth. But Cairns can be proud of the regional partnerships that were formed as part of the tender and the professionalism and capability that we demonstrated on the national stage.”
The Cairns bid, which was a collegiate and collaborative partnership, was one of only two that made it to the final stage of the tender process which was valued around $500m and will employ more than 130 people.
Rob Giason continued, “We are a proud regional community and although our sadness at this news may be drowned out by the celebrations of the much larger centres of population that were successful in their bid, now, more than ever, is the time for Advance Cairns and the Northern Australian region to make sure our united voice is heard and to maximise whatever local spin off opportunities might come from this contract.
“We will seek urgently to understand what maintenance contracts will remain in Cairns and also what infrastructure and capacity is needed to be competitive into the future. We have a very competitive marine sector and so will now regroup to identify future opportunity to continue our proud and rich heritage in this sector.”
Mr Gaison said, "Advance Cairns has already been advocating through the 8+8 Infrastructure Priorities for broad development of our shipping industry through the development of HMAS Cairns and the Cairns Port Shipping Strategy and will continue our push to see renewed investment and development in this crucial sector."
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