LNP TO DELIVER BETTER MARINE ACCESS IN HINCHINBROOK
Categories: Electorate
An LNP Government will work with the Port of Townsville and the Hinchinbrook Shire Council to deliver better marine access in the Hinchinbrook region – if it is successful at the coming election.
Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, said all-tide access at Dungeness, investigating opportunities to use the old wharf at Lucinda and improving facilities at Forrest Beach were all on the table.
Mr Cripps said a visit in September to Forrest Beach, the Port of Lucinda and Dungeness by Shadow Transport Minister, Andrew Powell, had brought the local marine access issues into focus.
Accompanied by Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor Ramon Jayo, I was able to show the Shadow Minister the huge potential that our local area had if we could improve marine access” said Mr Cripps.
“Local recreational and commercial boaties and tourism operators would all benefit from better boating infrastructure and that means a better lifestyle and more jobs for our community” he said.
“An LNP Government will make $3 million available through the Queensland Government Marine Infrastructure Fund to improve marine access and infrastructure at Dungeness and Lucinda”.
“Furthermore, the LNP will make another $1 million available through the same program to improve marine infrastructure at Forrest Beach, as the existing boat ramp is regularly unavailable”.
Mr Cripps said an LNP Government would work with the Port of Townsville and the Hinchinbrook Shire Council to achieve the best possible outcomes to improve marine infrastructure and access.
“I know that improving marine access and infrastructure is a priority for Mayor Jayo and the Hinchinbrook Shire Council and I want to partner with them to achieve those outcomes”.
“The LNP is also prepared to require and/or direct the Port of Townsville to be part of efforts and projects to improve infrastructure and access at both the Port of Lucinda and Dungeness”.
“I am fully aware that a community-based committee at Forrest Beach has been working with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council on some project designs and modelling and I respect that process”.
“I also know that the Ingham Coast Guard has raised concerns about their ability to respond to emergency calls for service and I am keen to see that issue resolved as soon as possible”.
Mr Cripps said he believed the opportunities for the tourism industry would be greatly enhanced from better marine access and boating facilities being made available in the Hinchinbrook region.
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