
February has been a very productive month for our community, and I’ve been proud to spend every week working directly with local residents, businesses and organisations across the Hinchinbrook electorate.
Supporting our emergency services has also been front of mind. This month I was pleased to visit local police facilities and speak with officers about the challenges they face and the resources they need. Making sure our frontline services have modern facilities and the support required to keep our communities safe remains a priority for me.
A significant development this month has been progress around Port Hinchinbrook. The Premier and I travelled to Cardwell last week to announce a major step forward with early works now underway following the acquisition of key sites within Queensland’s first Provisional Priority Development Area (PPDA). After community consultation, a Provisional Land Use Plan is now in place to guide restoration and future development, allowing initial repair works to begin, while preparations for dredging progress and a lead contractor is being secured.
I would like to sincerely thank Minister Steve Minnikin MP, Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business; Minister Dale Last MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development; and Minister Andrew Powell MP, Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, for taking the time to visit Ingham and Townsville.
It was greatly appreciated to see Ministers on the ground meeting with Council, industry groups and local residents, listening firsthand to the opportunities and challenges facing our region.
Their genuine engagement, willingness to listen, and clear passion for regional communities demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring North Queensland’s voice is heard and represented.
I have also spent considerable time meeting with community groups, schools and volunteers who form the backbone of our region. Attending local events and youth initiatives has been particularly inspiring — it’s encouraging to see so many young people stepping up with confidence and leadership. Our future is in good hands, and I’ll continue to back opportunities that help young people thrive.