General News
3 September, 2024
Marina’s $7m sewage fix up
A $7 MILLION shortfall to construct a new sewage treatment plant at Port Hinchinbrook is to be provided by the Miles Labor government.
Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto said Premier Steven Miles visited Cardwell and Port Hinchinbrook last week to make the funding announcement.
He said the government agreed to:
Immediately commit $7m to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to meet further costs of the sewage treatment plant
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) to start negotiations to acquire necessary land, no longer considered of value in the development
Arrange for dredging of Stoney Creek/One Mile Creek canal
Sell what remains of Port Hinchinbrook for redevelopment.
Mr Dametto said it was the first time any government had 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. 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,” he said.
Mr Miles said he wanted to see Port Hinchinbrook back on track.
“This area has so much potential, not only for local residents and businesses but for tourism opportunities,” he said.
“Instead, locals have been left behind for too long. Only my government will do what matters to fix Port Hinchinbrook and deliver the sewage treatment plant”.
A Cassowary Coast Regional Council spokesman thanked Mr Miles and said the council looked forward to receiving the funding from the government. He also thanked Mr Dametto for helping the council improve the situation for the Port Hinchinbrook community.
At last week’s council meeting, councillors endorsed negotiations to proceed with a preferred tenderer for emergency dredging of One Mile Creek with the hope that a federal government funding variation will be approved by the end of October 2024.
