Newsroom

August 23, 2024

Today I am pleased to announce a major milestone for the Port Hinchinbrook development, Cardwell and the Hinchinbrook electorate.

Premier Steven Miles has visited Cardwell and Port Hinchinbrook to meet with myself and a number of residents where the major announcement was made.

As per the attached Media Statement from Premier Miles, the following commitments have been made:

• The State Government will immediately commit $7 million to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to meet further costs related to the Port Hinchinbrook Sewage Treatment Plant.
•The state will also direct Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) to commence negotiations to acquire necessary land, left underutilised with diminishing amenity.

Following the acquisition of land, EDQ will be responsible for acquiring the necessary land and arrange for dredging of Stoney Creek/One Mile Creek canal in the first instance. It is not the State’s intention that EDQ will remain the long-term owner and developer of Port Hinchinbrook.

This is the first time any Government has committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Port Hinchinbrook which will deliver a fully normalised suburb of Cardwell. Years of tireless lobbying have finally come to fruition.

I would like to thank those Ministers who have been supportive throughout this process, former State Development Minister Kate Jones, Economic Development Minister Meaghan Scanlon, and now Premier, Steven Miles.

This announcement has set the pathway for Port Hinchinbrook to fully realise its potential and right the wrongs which this community has endured since Cyclone Yasi.

To the residents and locals who have been relentless in their advocacy, whether it was for dredging, or the $7 million STP shortfall, you should all be immensely proud of this achievement. Without the residents backing, this would not have been possible. I thank you all.

The work has been worth it, and I truly hope that the entire Cardwell community feels the same relief and elation that I do to reach what I can only describe as a historic moment in the Hinchinbrook electorate.

A link to the Premier’s media announcement can be found here: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101156

Photo: KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto MP and Premier Steven Miles at Port Hinchinbrook Marina.