Funding cut bad news for local environment

A STATE Government decision to slash funding to the Herbert River Improvement Trust (HRIT) could put the protection of the Great Barrier Reef in jeopardy, says Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto. Mr Dametto said he was stunned at the government’s decision to cut $300,000 from the State Council of River Trusts Queensland (SCRTQ), which allocates funding […] READ MORE

Dametto gets highway back up to speed

  A NON-STOP lobbying effort by Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has convinced Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to restore a stretch of the Bruce Highway north of Townsville back to 100km/h. Mr Dametto was relentless in advocating for the speed limit at the Bluewater section of the highway to be returned to 100km/h after it […] READ MORE

Grant boost to help first home owners: KAP

KATTER’S Australian Party (KAP) has thrown its support behind a push from Master Builders to restore the State Government’s $5000 boost to the First Homes Owners’ Grant for regional Queensland. In a letter to Traeger MP Robbie Katter and Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, Master Builders Queensland deputy CEO Paul Bidwell said restoring the grant boost […] READ MORE

Dametto praises ‘game-changing’ infrastructure

A GROUNDBREAKING agreement struck between Katter’s Australian Party leader Bob Katter and Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been hailed as “a historic win” for all of North Queensland by Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto. Mr Dametto said he was thrilled Mr Katter, the Federal Member for Kennedy, had secured Federal funding of up to $54 million […] READ MORE

VMS regs another blow for boaties

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto fears maritime commercial operators will walk away from their businesses under proposed draconian regulations that will force the use of tracking systems on all vessels. Mr Dametto blasted proposed amendments to regulations that support vessel tracking under the existing Fisheries Act 1994. The amendments would make it compulsory to have a […] READ MORE

Ethanol key to fuelling a cleaner future

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has taken the State Labor Government to task over its “faux support” of the biofuel industry, calling on them to phase out low quality regular unleaded petrol in favour of E10. With a less than ideal state-wide take up of ethanol blended fuels, including E10 which features a blend of 10 […] READ MORE

Fed Govt stagnates on sugar dumping

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto says the Federal Coalition Government needs to “stop sitting on their hands” or face a backlash by sugar cane growers over its reluctance to take action against Indian sugar dumping. Mr Dametto said it beggared belief that the government had so far refused to do anything substantial other than have Federal […] READ MORE

All tidal access will unlock tourism

THE success of a proposed eco-tourism venture on Hinchinbrook Island that will incorporate the Thorsborne Trail hinges on the State Government restoring all-tidal access to One Mile Creek and Dungeness, says Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto. Mr Dametto said the State’s recent call for expressions of interest (EOI) for a commercial operator to develop an eco-tourism […] READ MORE

Opportunity knocks for local eco trail development

LOCAL operators will be well placed to be part of a “once in a lifetime opportunity” in developing an eco-tourism experience on the Thorsborne Trail, says Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto. Mr Dametto said he was excited by the State Government’s recent call for expressions of interest (EOI) for a commercial operator to be a part […] READ MORE

Dametto to Govt: Fix crime or lose power

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has given a stinging warning to the State Labor Government over North Queensland’s crime crisis – fix the problem or face electoral oblivion. In a stirring speech delivered in parliament last week, Mr Dametto painted a grim picture of crime in the North, describing what has become a daily occurrence for […] READ MORE