Hinchinbrook’s Coastal Lifestyle Gets a Lift from State Budget

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto on the Forrest Beach foreshore.

24 June 2025

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has welcomed several small but necessary projects for the Hinchinbrook electorate included in this year’s State Budget. While not major funding announcements, the projects will directly improve the liveability and recreational appeal of key coastal communities.

Among the wins are:

• $200,000 for shade cover installation at the Taylors Beach playground.
• $200,000 to expand the Forrest Beach foreshore walking trail, enhancing pedestrian access between the hotel and boat ramp.
• $50,000 for planning and design works at Borello Park in Lucinda, aimed at upgrading the playground and protecting the area against future sea level rise.

“These are modest investments, but they’re important for locals and visitors who value our coastal lifestyle,” Mr Dametto said.

“Improved walking paths, shaded play areas and foreshore upgrades all help make our beachside towns more enjoyable as well as safer.

“I accept that the State Government had a tough job to do trying to balance the books this year, but I’ll definitely be expecting more in next year’s budget. Once the ledger tips back the other way, North Queensland and Hinchinbrook will need to see longer-term infrastructure commitments, particularly for marine infrastructure.

“Projects like the Dungeness dredging and rock wall have been approved, and all the hard work has really been done. They must be locked into future budgets to ensure all that strategy, planning and approval work doesn’t go to waste.”

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