General News
16 April, 2023
Navy’s $70m economy boost
Hundreds of workers and businesses on the job in city
MORE than 250 local small and medium enterprises and hundreds of skilled workers are now in - volved with the Navy’s Cairnsbased Regional Maintenance Centre North East.
The Australian Defence Force’s new maritime sustainment head – Rear Admiral Steven Tiffen – has visited Cairns to mark the first anniversary of the centre’s $70 million five-year contract with NORSTA Maritime.
Cairns was the first of a net - work of regional maintenance centres being established around Australia under the Australian Navy’s Plan Galileo.
Rear Admiral Tiffen said the RMC network was a key element of the ADF’s Maritime Sustain - ment Model.
“RMCs are strategically lo - cated with an integrated Defence and industry workforce so the Navy fleet is available where and when it is needed,” he said.
“Seeing the first of our centres have such a successful first year is gratifying and demonstrates the hard work of our Defence staff and industry partners.
“The success lies in the strong collaboration between our local Commonwealth team and our industry partner NORSTA Mari - time.”
Rear Admiral Tiffen said the local partnerships, involving more than 250 local small and medium enterprises and hundreds of skilled workers in the supply chain network, were helping the Navy deliver some of the key outcomes of Plan Galileo, such as building local and regional indus - try capability as well as providing upskilling and training opportuni - ties for Navy personnel.
He said secondment opportuni - ties for Fleet Support Unit sailors had been established with local companies Pasma Electrical, Per - rotts Engineering and Alphacool.
“In addition, a five-year re - gional work plan is being devel - oped, further strengthening De - fence’s industry ties in Cairns,” Rear Admiral Tiffen said.
“This also provides businesses with a longer-term view of up - coming maintenance equirements allowing them to forecast, plan and invest for future growth.
To find out more about De - fence industry opportunities visit www.defenceindustry.gov.au.
