Early works are underway at Port Hinchinbrook, marking a significant milestone in long-standing efforts to restore marine access and revitalise the Far North Queensland precinct.
The Crisafulli Government has acquired multiple key sites within the Port Hinchinbrook Provisional Priority Development Area, clearing the way for site preparation and future dredging works.
The milestone follows the declaration of Queensland’s first Provisional Priority Development Area in October last year, a move designed to fast-track planning and remediation after the site’s prolonged decline following Cyclone Yasi in 2011.
What do early works mean for Port Hinchinbrook?
With land acquisition complete and the State’s first Provisional Land Use Plan now in effect, Economic Development Queensland can commence initial remediation works, including repairs to prevent acid sulphate soils from leaching into surrounding mangroves.
Further technical planning and procurement is underway, with a lead contractor to be appointed to manage dredging preparation and specialist crews.
Premier David Crisafulli said the project was about delivering a long-awaited solution.
“The proud people of Far North Queensland deserve a fast-tracked solution and that’s what are delivering,” he said.
“With land acquisition and the Provisional Land Use Plan in place as of today, we are wasting no time starting early works on this important project.”
The conformed deed over the property will be extinguished, removing a key legal constraint on progress.
Why marine access matters for regional industry
While positioned as a tourism and residential precinct, Port Hinchinbrook also supports boating, marine services and local commercial activity linked to the Hinchinbrook Channel.
Restoring dredged access is critical to improving navigability and supporting marine operators who rely on reliable channel depth and infrastructure.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the Government was focused on delivering a practical solution to a complex issue.
“While moving quickly, EDQ is also doing things the right way – solving a wide range of long-running complex issues that have been left unchecked for way too long,” he said.
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said restoring the port was a key community commitment.
“We made a promise to the people of Hinchinbrook we’d restore Port Hinchinbrook as a thriving tourism, commercial and residential precinct and we’ve taken a major step forward in delivering on that promise,” he said.