Jetty repairs a welcome boost for fishos
Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, Hinchinbrook Shire councillor Donna Marbelli, Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey and Port of Townsville General Manager Infrastructure and Environment Marissa Wise at Lucinda service jetty this morning.
LUCINDA’S popular service jetty will continue to be enjoyed by recreational fishers for years to come as the Port of Townsville spends $1.2 million to carry out much-needed repairs.
Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto welcomed the announcement today by Port officials and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, with engineering firm CASA Projects awarded the contract.
“The jetty holds a special place in not only locals’ hearts, but people who have been visiting this area for generations,” Mr Dametto said.
“In the Hinchinbrook electorate, we want to build on our tourism industry but we also want to galvanise what we already have here.
“I’d like to thank the Port of Townsville and Minister Bailey for actioning this project and will continue to work with all stakeholders to secure funding for more infrastructure improvements across Hinchinbrook.”
The project will rectify corrosive damage that was discovered near the top of a number of the 68 steel pylons during a structural inspection last year.
15 jobs will be created over the course of the project, from July to November.
Mr Dametto urged the State Government to go further by backing Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s $6 million proposal to dredge Enterprise Channel, build a rock wall to protect a historic spit from further erosion and expand the existing carpark.
“This would allow more marine vessels and tourism operators coming into the area and I’m continuing to lobby strongly for that,” he said.
“You would be hard pressed to find a boatie from Hinchinbrook that wouldn’t want to see all-tidal access at Lucinda. Coupled with our world-class fishing spots, the development of this marine precinct will put us on the national map, drawing people to the region.”