General News
28 February, 2026
Navy upgrade hits landmark
A $250 million upgrade at HMAS Cairns will allow the base to berth up to five Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels, significantly expanding the navy’s capacity in North Queensland.
Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil joined Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith MP and Member for Cairns Michael Healy on Tuesday to inspect the new 212-metre wharf, which is about 60% complete.
Delivered by BESIX Watpac under the Navy Capability Infrastructure Subprogram (NCIS), the wharf will support Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels, E Cape-class patrol boats and visiting vessels from Indo-Pacific partners.
“In the past, with the old wharf, you could only berth two Arafura-class patrol vessels. You’re going to be able to berth five, as well as other vessels from our Indo-Pacific partners,” Mr Khalil said.
The wharf has been elevated above surrounding infrastructure to withstand rising king tide levels and meet navy operational requirements for decades to come.
More than 770 workers have been employed onsite during the project, with a peak workforce of 90 per day.
Thirteen major subcontractors were engaged, with $67.7 million awarded to local businesses within 125km of Cairns.
Local Indigenous-owned organisations secured almost $800,000 in contracts, while Indigenous employees accounted for more than 9% of total workforce hours.
Mr Khalil said the investment formed part of a broader northern defence strategy.
“We’ve invested $2.8 billion in the Albanese government, $2.8 billion in the northern parts of Australia across the base infrastructure and we’ll be investing between 14 and $18 billion over the next decade across our northern-based infrastructure,” he said.
Cairns Local News asked Mr Khalil if this expansion was directly linked to rising strategic competition in the region.
“It is a volatile time and I think it’s important that middle powers like Australia are working with our partners and our allies and friends to maintain that stability across the region,” he said.
HMAS Cairns currently homeports four patrol vessels on a dual crew basis, supporting eight crews.
One of the new offshore patrol vessel crews, HMAS Pilbara, stood up in Cairns at the start of this year and is continuing training before taking over the vessel later this year.
The upgrade complements a new $11.5 million shared-user facility delivered by Hutchinson Builders two kilometres south of HMAS Cairns.
The facility will provide a permanent home for Australian Navy cadets from Training Ship Endeavour.
The unit sits under HMAS Leeuwin, commanded by Commander Shaun Poing-Destre, and includes offices, classrooms, a boatshed and a fully equipped galley adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College.
Mr Smith said the investment would secure the base’s future.
“The whole world is starting to pivot north, and this investment here reflects that the Anthony Albanese Labor government recognises that fact and is prepared to invest in our community,” he said.
