- Port Hinchinbrook restoration underway to restore all-tide marina access after the port was left inaccessible during Labor's decade of decline.
- Dredging and other works will remove over 500,000 cubic metres of spoil and debris to unwind the damage caused by Cyclone Yasi.
- Queensland business Hall Contracting appointed dredging contractor.
- Crisafulli Government is delivering a long-awaited restoration of Port Hinchinbrook following years of inaction by former Labor Government.
The long-awaited restoration of Port Hinchinbrook is officially underway, with the Crisafulli Government commencing dredging and other major works to unwind the damage caused by Cyclone Yasi in 2011, followed by years of inaction by the former Labor Government.
More than 500,000 cubic metres of spoil and other debris will be removed to restore Port Hinchinbrook into a thriving tourism, commercial and residential precinct, after the marina was left largely inaccessible during Labor's decade of decline.
The works will remove the equivalent of 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools of material.
The first step will be removing mooring piles and other debris within the marina and public channel, as well as dredging within the public channel.
These works will enable dredging to begin soon after in the marina, to reinstate all tide access for commercial and recreational vessels.
Queensland business Hall Contracting has been appointed as dredging contractor and all relevant approvals have now also been finalised, allowing them to get stuck into this important job.
The Crisafulli Government took swift action to acquire multiple key sites within the precinct, complete works to stop acid sulphate soils from leaching into the surrounding mangroves and declared it a Provisional Priority Development Area to prepare the site and streamline approval processes.
Economic Development Queensland is leading the project to fast-track a solution given its expertise in overcoming complex planning and development barriers and will continue to work with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council and the local community as works progress.
Premier and Minister for Veterans David Crisafulli said the Port Hinchinbrook restoration delivered on a commitment after the advocacy of Wayde Chiesa.
"This is turning the tide for Port Hinchinbrook, to restore it and the surrounding area into a thriving tourism, commercial and residential precinct," Premier Crisafulli said.
"This delivers on a commitment and will help kick-start the exciting next phase for Port Hinchinbrook and the local community."
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said that restoring Port Hinchinbrook was only made possible by the Member for Hinchinbrook having a seat at the Government table.
"North Queenslanders had been crying out for Port Hinchinbrook to be restored to its former glory, yet Labor left this hidden gem to wither on the vine for more than a decade," the Deputy Premier said.
"The Crisafulli Government listened to locals and got cracking. Less than a year later, major works are underway to open the port for boats, and for business.
"Work like this is exactly what can be achieved when you have a local Member with a seat at the Government table."
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said the Crisafulli Government was delivering a fresh start to the people of this proud community.
"This is a promise kept to the people of Hinchinbrook. A promise to listen and get on with the job," Mr Chiesa said.
"We're well on our way to restoring Port Hinchinbrook as a thriving destination for generations to come."
