Saving Port Hinchinbrook

Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, has announced a much-needed boost for the Hinchinbrook region – providing funding to complete necessary sewerage treatment works and stepping in to acquire land in the area, if necessary.

The sewerage treatment plant and roads were compulsorily acquired by the state in 2022 and were vested to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council for remediation.

Mr Miles said he wants to see Port Hinchinbrook get back on track.

“This area has so much potential for local residents and businesses as well as tourism opportunities. Instead, locals have been left behind for too long.”

The State Government will immediately commit $7 million to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to meet further costs related to the Port Hinchinbrook Sewerage Treatment Plant.

Additional state funding builds on $12.3 million in existing joint State and Commonwealth funding, following the Council’s advice that the total project costs have increased.

The state will also direct Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) to commence negotiations to acquire necessary land left underutilised with diminishing amenities.

EDQ will acquire the necessary land and, if the Government is elected in October, arrange for the dredging of Stoney Creek/One Mile Creek canal in the first instance.

The exact nature of the works EDQ will undertake will be subject to comprehensive due diligence to better understand all aspects of the site, liabilities and development obligations.

Once completed, EDQ will put the site on the open market for further development.

The move follows strong advocacy from the Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto, and continuing requests for government intervention to resolve long-standing issues left in the wake of Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

Image: Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet