- Cairncross Dockyard Brisbane
Pilot site for ASSIST – demonstrating the model's application and informing scalabilty
CDB is the pilot site for ASSIST. Strategically located on Australia’s east coast, it can leverage some exisiting infrastructure with targeted upgrades to demonstrate and refine a standardised model.
Established in 1942 to support wartime naval operations, CDB is positioned to contribute to current Defence and industry priorities through modernised and standardised sustainment capability.
A site of national strategic value
- Located on 14-hectare freehold parcel with connected marine leases
- Deepwater access, 5km from the Brisbane CBD
- Zoned for shipyard activation
- Ideal geology, geometry, bathymetry, and logistics for large vessel sustainment.
CDB provides a practical environment to demonstrate and inform a policy-aligned, and cost-effective approach to maritime sustainment infrastructure under ASSIST, before wider application.
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) |
Planned modernisation and infrastructure upgrades can be designed to meet the needs of contemporary vessels – enhancing sustainment efficiency, reducing downtime, and enabling higher operational readiness.
CDB as a national reference site
CDB is being positioned as a collaborative site to support Defence and industry objectives. Beyond shipyard operations, ASSIST seeks to inform cutting-edge, standardised approaches to design and develop the next generation of maritime sustainment infrastructure. ASSIST brings 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 development pipeline created in partnership with trade training and tertiary education providers
Re-engineering at the site, under ASSIST, is enabling sovereign innovation and creating a testbed for sustainment infrastructure approaches that improve efficiency, lower life-cycle 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 potential role of CDB in a national network
CDB’s reactivation is intended to complement Defence Regional Maintenance Centres, not duplicate them.
As a pilot site for ASSIST and potential east-coast maritime sustainment facility, Cairncross can provide:
- An alternative hub for new and emerging vessel classes
- A testbed for sovereign technologies and standardised, repeatable infrastructure systems
- A cost-effective strategic asset - supporting coalition readiness and providing national insurance against future sustainment shortfalls