Completion of Port Hinchinbrook Sewerage Treatment Plant Postponed Due to International Shipping Logistics

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Published
24th June 2024

International conflicts and associated impacts to shipping logistics  will result in  delays for the delivery of pumps and mechanical equipment vital to commissioning and handover of the Port Hinchinbrook Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) which is now anticipated for completion in November 2024.

Aside from this delay, the project is tracking well with works onsite continuing largely on-program as construction moves from civil phase to the mechanical and commissioning phase.

  • Installation of the recycled water tank has commenced
  • Decanter has arrived onsite for installation
  • Roofing to structures has been installed
  • Mechanical Installations subject to delay

The normalisation of Port Hinchinbrook is expected to cost $19.3 million. $12.3 million in funding is provided by the Australian and State Governments resulting in a funding shortfall of $7 million.

Council has resolved that the shortfall would be funded by borrowings as well as repayments made by those who benefit from the scheme. This project will not be funded by the broader ratepayer base.

To help ease the financial burden of the funding shortfall to Port Hinchinbrook residents who are beneficiaries of the STP, Council has joined with the Cardwell Chamber of Commerce to advocate for further funding support from the Queensland Government.

The funding shortfall was recently discussed at a meeting held by Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto in Cairns on Friday 31 May.  Attending from Council was Mayor Teresa Millwood with Division One Councillor Peter Reed and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Graffen alongside operational staff.  From the State Government, representatives from Economic Development Queensland and the Premier and Cabinet were in attendance.

The meeting provided the following outcomes:

  • Cassowary Coast Regional Council confirming their willingness to be part of a broader plan in regard to what part they could play in conjunction with the State to develop a long-term strategy for dredging at Port Hinchinbrook and finalising the normalisation process of the development, and attracting investment in the development.
  • Economic Development Queensland to undertake further legal examination of possible options that could be taken in order to add value and de-risk the project for a potential future developer of the marina basin and land assets.

Read more about this meeting at https://nickdametto.com/statement-from-nick-dametto-mp-port-hinchinbrook-june

The Port Hinchinbrook (Cardwell) STP and Normalisation project is funded by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

For further information please see Council’s Your Say page at https://yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/port-hinchinbrook, or contact Council at 1300 763 903 or email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.

70%

 

Photo: Construction of Port Hinchinbrook Sewerage Treatment Plant is now 70% complete.