Mayor's Message - Council Connections 18 November 2017

State Election Priorities Hinchinbrook

Since calling of the State Election, Council has been actively lobbying the political parties and candidates seeking commitments to priority issues and projects, essential for our district.

Matters canvassed include the need for baseload power capacity in the north to drive electricity prices lower, guarantee for more local content on major state infrastructure works carried out in our district, and discussion concerning future Bruce Highway planning.

At a local level, commitment has been sought towards current projects being undertaken by Council, some of which are listed hereunder.

Siltation of Coastal Areas

The siltation of coastal areas at all of Hinchinbrook Shire beaches Lucinda, Forrest Beach and Taylors Beach due to sand drift, restricts boating access to and from ramps to half to full tide periods only. 

In close proximity to Hinchinbrook Island, the Palm Group of Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, Hinchinbrook Shire considers it essential to address the all tide access issue so as to enable it to reach full tourism potential as well as enabling improved access for local boating enthusiasts. Council requires assistance in providing safe accessible passage for small and large craft to access boat ramp and mooring facilities at all stages of the tide at Dungeness and Forrest Beach. Forrest Beach requires new ramp facilities, whilst Dungeness requires dredging and protection of Enterprise Channel by installation of the former spit area.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council seeks financial support to undertake the required environmental impact studies and infrastructure design criteria addressing environmental impacts to determine sustainable solutions

Development of Vital Places

Council’s Economic Strategic Plan details an ambition to establish Hinchinbrook as an authentic destination to achieve increased visitation and economic prosperity derived from tourism and events. Development areas are needed to attract investment and it is recognised that the beach areas, primarily Forrest Beach and Lucinda, are lacking in required infrastructure for investment attraction, particularly in regard to sewerage.

Council is currently investigating strategies to provide sewerage infrastructure in each location centred around current commercial nodes with a view to facilitating higher density tourism infrastructure.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council seeks investment in sewerage infrastructure at Forrest Beach to act as the catalyst for economic and tourism growth.

Mountain Bike/Hiking Recreational Complex

In conjunction with Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Services, investigations are being undertaken towards the utilisation of National Parks and Forestry areas within the Herbert River Valley for establishment of nature based mountain bike and hiking trails and recreational precincts among other tourism infrastructure.

Funding has been sought for master planning to combine the various district precincts and to produce a Master Plan enabling development of such recreational precincts.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council seeks funding for a Master Plan, feasibility and design study for recreational activities and suitable infrastructure in National Parks enabling facilitation of recreational tourism growth upon suitable and sustainable tenure by private enterprise.

Aerodrome

Size and utility allows for the existing strip to be utilised for commercial and general aviation purpose. Restrictions to use of the strip apply during floods when water overflows the north east end of the strip and also floods the current hangar and aviation service precincts.

Such flooding inhibits district resupply operations with cargo loading and unloading required to be carried out in all-weather on tarmac in times of flood.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council seeks financial support to undertake flood proofing of areas including the strip, taxi way and hangar area allowing for cargo loading and unloading in all weather during floods.

Agricultural Diversification

The district remains reliant on the sugar cane industry as its principal economic driver.  More industry is needed to create the jobs necessary for a sustainable future.  With an abundance of rich soils throughout the district, cropping of alternative agricultural product complementing and in rotation to sugar cane cycles is achievable.  The use of sugar cane for production of other products including Bio Energy must be supported.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council seeks financial support for Council to undertake an agricultural viability report to identify crop suitability and diversification options.

Council has also petitioned the various candidates towards ensuring legislative certainty for our district including grower choice.

Hinchinbrook Shire is almost totally reliant on the sugar industry for its economic survival. A significant dispute relating to freedom of choice for selection of grower economic interest sugar marketer was recently finalised through amendments to the sugar industry legislation, and supported by Sugar Industry Code of Conduct, adopted by the Federal Government. It is imperative that grower’s economic interest rights be continued and grower’s ability to choose marketer be honoured into the future.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council seeks commitment that such rights of choice remain in place and protected by legislation.