- Cairncross Dockyard Brisbane
Pilot site for ASSIST – under development at Cairncross Dockyard Brisbane (CDB)
CDB is the pilot site for ASSIST. Strategically located on the east coast, it is combining existing assets with targeted upgrades to test and refine the model in practice.
Originally established in 1942 to support war-era naval operations, CDB is positioned to contribute to contemporary Defence and industry priorities through modernised sustainment capability.

A site of national strategic value
- 14 hectares of freehold land, 7 hectares of marine leasehold
- Deepwater access, 5km from the Brisbane CBD
- Zoned for shipyard activation
- Ideal geology, geometry, bathymetry, and logistics for large vessel sustainment.
CDB provides a development-ready environment to demonstrate how ASSIST can deliver policy-aligned outcomes before wider rollout.
Infrastructure aligned to national priorities
Capability | Specification |
---|---|
Graving Dock | 270m long – suitable for major surface combatants and support vessels |
Fit-Out Wharf | 310m heavy wharf with deepwater access |
Breasting Pocket | 250m, 9m depth for vessel staging and transfer |
Vertical Shiplift | Planned twin 6000T Bardex Hyraulic Chain Jack Vertical Shiplifts |
Off-Water Capacity | Extensive laydown and multi-vessel maintenance zones |
Digital Uplift | Integrated diagnostics, automation, and digital twin capability (under development) |
The is infrastructure designed not only to maintain platforms, but to improve sustainment efficiency, reduce downtime, and support higher operational tempo.
CDB as a Centre of Excellence
CDB is being positioned as a national hub for maritime sustainment innovation. Beyond shipyard operations, it will bring together:
- Research institutions like AMC Search
- Platform OEMs to support sustainment system design and trials
- Advanced manufacturing partners in steel, systems and digital technology
- Workforce pipelines through trade training and education providers.
The site’s development is enabling sovereign innovation and will provide a testbed for sustainment approaches to reduce lifecycle costs and strengthen fleet availability.
Economic and strategic impact
- More than 1,500 expected direct and indirect jobs across construction, operations and innovation
- Strengthened Queensland industrial base and advanced manufacturing capability
- Alignment with AUKUS sustainment and interoperability requirements
- Platform for developing exportable intellectual property and sovereign technologies.
The role of CDB in a national network
CDB’s development is intended to complement Defence Regional Maintenance Centres, not duplicate them.
As a pilot site and potential east coast node, Cairncross can provide:
- A sustainment hub for major vessel classes
- A testbed for sovereign technologies and repeatable infrastructure systems
- A strategic asset that supports coalition readiness and surge capacity.