- The Crisafulli Government has kickstarted a long-awaited revitalisation of Port Hinchinbrook.
- Plan includes works to reinstate all-tide and Coast Guard access and resolve long-running legal issues.
- A Provisional Priority Development Area to be established to transform area into thriving tourism, economic and residential precinct after Labor's neglect.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future and a fresh start for regional Queensland after Labor's decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Port Hinchinbrook and kickstarting a long-awaited revitalisation of the precinct to transform it into a thriving tourism, economic and residential area.
The Government is declaring the site as the first-ever Provisional Priority Development Area, to unlock the true tourism, economic and residential potential of the region.
The Queensland-first declaration is a historic step and will help resolve the long-standing issues Labor failed to act on during its decade of decline, in another example of the former Government's abandonment of regional Queensland.
The declaration allows the Crisafulli Government to begin to transform the Port and surrounding areas into a thriving precinct by:
- Beginning work to reinstate all-tide access for boats to the Port's marina and public waterways by removing dredging spoil;
- Restoring clear access for the local Coast Guard to improve safety for boaties;
- Resolving long-standing legal issues that have impeded the redevelopment and economic future of the Port.
The Government will also acquire selected land parcels within the 140-hectare Provisional Priority Development Area – which does not impact any private residential properties - to resolve economic and environmental issues unimpeded.
The conformed deed which sits over the property will be extinguished.
Economic Development Queensland will lead the initiative in partnership with Cassowary Coast Regional Council, industry, the community and other key stakeholders.
Prior to formalisation of the Provisional Priority Development Area, Economic Development Queensland will secure all final approvals for infrastructure works including the dredging to be completed at Port Hinchinbrook.
Residents are encouraged to provide feedback prior to the formalisation of the Provisional Priority Development Area in January 2026, with enabling works to follow and dredging set to commence in the second half of 2026.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was delivering a fresh start for Port Hinchinbrook.
"Port Hinchinbrook has been neglected for far too long and today marks the beginning of a new chapter for this proud North Queensland community," Premier Crisafulli said.
"This historic declaration is the first step towards unlocking the Port's economic and tourism potential and finally fixing the issues that have held this community back for a decade.
"This is about delivering a fresh start for regional Queensland and rebuilding opportunities by restoring jobs, tourism and growth."
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the people of Port Hinchinbrook deserved a fast-tracked solution to a complex issue – one that had remained unresolved for far too long.
"It beggars belief just how bad Labor was at dealing with the concerns of regional Queensland," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"For more than a decade, Labor sat on their hands while Port Hinchinbrook suffered – local tourism stalled and the community was repeatedly left without answers.
"The Crisafulli Government is ditching the red tape, fixing Labor's mess and restoring Port Hinchinbrook to its rightful place as a thriving tourism and lifestyle hub for North Queensland."
