The Miles Labor Government has begun construction on its latest project in the Big Build of Cairns with a 2,600 m² expansion of TAFE Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef International Marine College. The jointly funded $17.6 million upgrade, part of a $36 million investment by the Albanese Labor Government, will elevate Cairns to a prominent position in the world’s booming maritime industry by training seafarers and providing specialised training to the Navy.
This Queensland Big Build project will be pivotal in delivering training for Queensland’s expanding maritime workforce, including through the Pacific Marine Training Services contract—a program designed to strengthen ties with Pacific Island nations by training their navy and police personnel. The expansion features a new state-of-the-art workshop with patrol boat engine simulations, a new boat store, modern classrooms, and upgraded facilities for students and staff.
The college aims to train 1,500 students annually, including a projected 300 as part of the training contract for the Pacific Maritime Training Services program.
The College is among the most well-equipped training centres in the southern hemisphere, boasting a Full Mission Bridge Simulator and Navigation Labs, a Multi-purpose Emergency Response Training Simulator, a sea survival immersion pool, and two training vessels to provide practical hands-on experience.
Location & Background
- Situated in Portsmith, Cairns, North Queensland, along Chinaman Creek, just 10 minutes south of the city centre.
- Operates as part of the TAFE Queensland network, delivering nationally and internationally recognised maritime training.
- Positioned within the Cairns Marine Precinct, a hub for defence, tourism, fishing, and shipping industries
Additions to the college, designed by Architects Peddle Thorp, introduced new teaching spaces, staff facilities, and upgrades to raid rooms and bridge simulators. The design team also prepared a master plan to guide future development of the campus. During the design phase, unavoidable siting challenges arose, with the main facades oriented east and west. These were successfully addressed through extended roof overhangs, high-performance glazing, and purpose-designed sun screening.
Draftech’s Involvement:
This project combined workshop and office spaces, requiring careful consideration of acoustic performance, safety, and spatial efficiency.
Our team delivered detailed mechanical services modelling, coordination, and shop drawings, addressing challenges such as fuel storage, noise control, and tight space constraints. Despite the building’s small footprint, it needed to accommodate industrial-scale equipment, including large exhaust fans and silencers.
Through early planning and close coordination with the steel manufacturer, we ensured all systems fit seamlessly within the structure. Using BIM parameters for colour-coded checks and equipment scheduling, we optimized both aesthetics and accessibility, while improving builders’ work outcomes.
The result was a well-coordinated, efficient, and high-performing mechanical design that met all project requirements.
Draftech – Your Project, Our Expertise
Project Links and Further Information:
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101484
Big Build of Cairns given big boost with Marine College expansion underway – Marine Business News
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TOM PURDON MPM GROUP
