Minute With The Mayor 18 November

Mayor Ramon Jayo

Across the channel from the southern tip of Hinchinbrook Island are two coastal gems - Dungeness and Lucinda. They stand as gateways to world-class fishing and the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

These communities are more than scenic postcards to us. They are living, thriving places with enormous potential. It’s not rocket science that growth needs a strong foundation.

Our northern neighbours at Cassowary Coast are primed to reap immense benefit from Port Hinchinbrook being declared a Provisional Priority Development Area by the Queensland Government last week.

Here in Hinchinbrook, we’re working hard to ensure our region shares in that momentum.

Our vision is clear: unlock opportunities for tourism, attract new residents, and create jobs — all while protecting the pristine environment that makes this place unique.

To do that, we’re seeking $18 million to upgrade trunk infrastructure and treatment facilities.

These upgrades will enable further commercial development and support population growth in a way that is sustainable and future focused.

It’s a big ask, but essential for a small Shire like ours, where the cost of infrastructure continues to skyrocket and our ratepayer base is limited.

We rely on strong partnerships with state and federal governments to make these ambitions a reality.

At Dungeness, improving marine access remains a top priority. Council has already secured State approval for dredging the Enterprise Channel, a project that will make boating safer and more reliable year-round. This upgrade includes deepening the channel, constructing a rock-armoured retaining wall, and using clean dredged sand to replenish the beach and protect the spit from erosion. These works will ensure vessels can safely navigate even during low tides and rough weather.

The next step is Commonwealth approvals. We’ve engaged environmental and coastal specialists to prepare reports for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and confirm compliance under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act. These reports build on what we developed for State approvals and will demonstrate that the Reef’s values remain untouched. We expect this work to wrap up before the year’s end, so applications can be lodged early in the new year.

Meanwhile, commercial operators can look forward to a new $500,000 pontoon off Denney Street — hopefully by Christmas or early in the new year — providing safer, more convenient access for charter operators, a boost for our tourism sector.

Infrastructure projects like these are more than upgrades. They’re commitments to a thriving future where people can move to our area and reap the benefits in one of the most spectacular corners of Queensland.

We are keen to see some commitments, and we look forward to working towards a better future for our district together.