SHIPYARD SCHEME: Plan to bring back boat-building industry gathering steam

A multimillion-dollar development at the Port Douglas south wharf region is envisioned to create hundreds of jobs and reinvigorate the Shire economy.

Some heavyweights of government and tourism have thrown their support behind the project, including Cook MP David Kempton, prominent developer and tourism operator John Morris, marina owner Crystalbrook Collection’s chief executive Geoff York, Quicksilver Group managing director Tony Baker, Douglas Shire Council Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and Tourism Port Douglas Daintree executive officer Emma Tunnock.

The plan revolves around a shipyard precinct similar to Norship and Austral in Cairns for repairing and refitting boats, including travel lifts for hoisting large vessels out of the water, an expanded slipway, a boat-supply shop and a market square with cafes and other retail outlets.

Mr Kempton said the Cairns boat-repair industry was becoming overwhelmed with Royal Australian Navy and other commercial work, and there was an opportunity for Port Douglas to become part of the expanding opportunities.

“I absolutely and wholeheartedly support it,” Mr Kempton said.

“There’s a real opportunity in Port Douglas.

“I’ll be lobbying really hard.”

The plan aims to expand on a 2018 Douglas Shire Council Waterfront South Precinct design, which also includes a public boat ramp, tour terminal, fisherman’s wharf, marina and 100-space carpark.

The project, however, is designed to work in conjunction with the nearby Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, with CSM chief executive Mr York backing the latest plan.

“We acknowledge that any enhancement of the surrounding area to our facility can only be positive,” he said.

“I wish you every success in this endeavour.”

The project is expected to employ hundreds of skilled workers needing jobs as the region’s sugar industry winds down this year.

“With the closure of the Mossman Mill impacting the agricultural sector, the Waterfront South Precinct offers a pathway to economic diversification through the development of a marine industry,” a council statement reads. 

All the parties involved are pushing for a scoping study as the next step, which is expected to cost about $3m-$6m.

State Tourism Minister Andrew Powell is reportedly supportive of the project, while funding will also be sought from private enterprise and the Federal Government.

The council has called the plan a “transformative initiative designed to revitalise the local economy, generate employment, and secure long-term economic resilience for the region”.

“This is a flagship project that will create a ripple effect across the region,” Mayor Scomazzon said.

“Now is the time to invest in Port Douglas’s future.”

TPDD’s Mrs Tunnock said the project had the potential to revitalise the region’s economy and stimulate job creation.

“We are the most tourism-dependent regional economy in Queensland, and the Waterfront South Precinct presents a critical opportunity to secure our economic future,” she said.

Mr Morris said the project would help unlock new industry potential, revitalise the waterfront, and create much-needed tourism and marine-industry jobs.