Qld commits $4.5m investment for new cranes, defence revitalisation at Cairncross Dockyard

The funding is expected to help reactivate the site as a major maritime precinct on the Brisbane River.

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.

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“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.”

Once operational, the project will strengthen Queensland’s maritime sustainment capability, keep more ship repair and maintenance work in Queensland, and create more than 1,000 direct jobs while supporting more across manufacturing, logistics, and supply chains.

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,” 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 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.”

Investment follows the Queensland government declaring the $2.5 billion Cairncross Dockyard project a Prescribed Project, to streamline assessment and approvals.

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.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.