May 18, 2022- FUNDING GREEN LIGHT FOR STP AND DREDGING PROJECTS

Residents, businesses and visitors to Cardwell and Port Hinchinbrook are welcoming the news that funding agreements for One Mile Creek dredging and Port Hinchinbrook Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) have been executed.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Mark Nolan said it had taken a lot of hard work with strong community advocacy and all levels of government working together towards this positive outcome.

“Our community emphatically told Council that this was a key priority for residents and I’m proud to announce that funding agreements have been executed.

“We understand that the marine, tourism and recreational industries and the people who work in these industries depend on access to our waterways. Providing a navigable channel is also important to residents and visitors to our waterside communities; our stunning beaches, the Great Barrier Reef and nearby islands which are a major drawcard for our tourism market.”

Councillor Nolan said that the execution of the funding agreement for $1.5 million allows Council to progress a procurement process for the emergency dredging of One Mile Creek.

Once completed, the emergency dredging will create opportunities for recreational and commercial users alike and have flow on effects to the local economy. The   navigable channel will also improve safety for marine users and support the local volunteer Coast Guard.

In further good news, formal agreements have been finalised for the funding required for upgrading the Port Hinchinbrook STP. With numerous failures of the estates ageing STP and associated infrastructure, this matter has been critical to resolve as releases to the environment had the very real potential to impact on public health and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

“Council has signed an agreement with the Australian Government for $6 million in funding for the STP. The total cost for this project is $14.25 million with the Queensland Government also providing $6.3 million.

The project will see a new STP built to replace the current failing system as well as renewal of some pump station and effluent infrastructure, culverts and road assets.

“Council staff are working behind the scenes to progress with the design phase. The current schedule aims to have the design fast tracked with preliminary designs complete by the end of July 2022, and tenders called in August 2022.

“I thank the community for working with Council and both the Queensland and Australian Government for helping progress these critical projects, Council hope this lasting solution will provide confidence for future private investment in this iconic development. This project is a perfect of example of walking together in terms of one community and one region,” Councillor Nolan said.

For more information on the above projects, please contact Council on 1300 763 903 or email enquiries@cassowarycoast,qld.gov.au.

 Alternatively, you can find out more by visiting the Port Hinchinbrook Normalisation project webpage at Port Hinchinbrook Sewerage Treatment Plant and Normalisation – Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

The One Mile Creek emergency dredging project is funded through the Australian Government’s Community Development Grants Program.

The Port Hinchinbrook STP and normalisation project is funded by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Cassowary Coast Regional Council.