MARINE ACCESS ISSUES EXAMINED IN HINCHINBROOK

Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, recently hosted Andrew Powell, Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads, in the Herbert River district to look at marine access issues in the area.

Mr Cripps thanked Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor, Ramon Jayo, for being available to travel with Mr Powell and himself during the visit last week, to discuss a range of marine access issues.

“I share the view of the Mayor and Council that better access for recreational and commercial vessels at Lucinda and Dungeness is a priority for the the Hinchinbrook Shire” said Mr Cripps.

“I am also keen to see the residents of Forrest Beach have more reliable and safer access to better boating infrastructure and that challenge is something I would like to see resoled” he said.

“I invited Andrew Powell to visit the Herbert River district specifically to show him these issues at Lucinda, Dungeness and Forrest Beach, to give him a better understanding of the situation”.

“I thank Mr Powell for taking the time to visit the Hinchinbrook Shire and I know that he now appreciates the problems faced by both recreational and commercial boaties in the region”.

Mr Cripps said he was encouraged by the pro-active attitude of Mayor Jayo and the Council towards achieving better outcomes for the community by cooperating on potential projects.

“We had some very good discussions and while there are no silver bullets, there is a strong recognition that fishing and boating is a very big part of our lifestyle in North Queensland”.

“In addition, there would certainly be job creation opportunities – particularly around the tourism industry – if access could be improved and that is also very important for our community”.

“I have also been facilitating discussions between the Ingham Coast Guard and the Port of Townsville about marine access issues from the serious perspective of community safety”.

“There are a number of locations in the Hinchinbrook electorate where marine access issues are of concern to the community and finding the right solutions in each situation can be difficult”.

Mr Cripps said having the Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads visit the Hinchinbrook electorate to look at marine access issues was another step towards achieving an outcome.

 

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