On Thursday 17 February, the Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor and CEO, along with Nick Dametto MP and several other distinguished guests, visited the Cardwell Community to update them on matters important to them.
See the summary below from the updates provided.
Normalisation Overview (State and Federal Funding, Acquisition of Sewerage Treatment Plant land, Operation, Roads, Bridge, Acquisition of Road network and assets, Project plan, Project Manager)
•The Cassowary Coast Regional Council is committed to foreseeing the Normalisation of Port Hinchinbrook.
• What this means for residents and the wider community, is the current assets within Port Hinchinbrook, such as roads, bridges, culverts and sewerage, will be renewed and updated to revitalise the area and ensure they are of a high, operational standard.
•The Normalisation will also involve a new sewerage treatment plant being built to take over the current failing system.
•To achieve the required maintenance and upgrades, Council is securing funding from both the State Government and Federal Government of a total of $12.3 million.
• A tremendous amount of work has been undertaken to achieve an ideal balance between each of the funding agreements, to ensure they align as well as meet the required needs of the community.
•The funding agreements are still in the final negotiations however all parties involved, including Council CEO Andrew Graffen, Mr Nick Dametto MP, Senator Susan MacDonald and the Honorable Bob Katter are working to ensure these funds are signed off and committed.
• Council has identified the potential risk of the Federal Government going into ‘Caretaker Mode’ when an election is called however is hoping the agreements will be place within the next two weeks to avoid this potential risk.
Emergency Dredging of One Mile Creek Funding Update
• Council was invited to and submitted a Community Development Grant Application for Emergency Dredging of One Mile Creek in Jan 2021.
• Since that time there has been significant negotiations over the terms of a potential funding agreement;
-Council position to identify this as a one off project and protect the wider Cassowary Coast Ratepayers from ongoing dredging commitments and expenditure.
-Council is currently satisfied with outcome of these negotiations.
-Actively seeking finalisation of a funding agreement in line with those negotiations (we understand the risk of looming federal election).
• Currently reengaging with Contractors that were previously identified through an expression of interest process undertaken in 2020 – (Previous submissions are now outside of tender validity period).
• With conventional dredging the first step must be the preparation of the settlement ponds – this cannot be done efficiently through the wet season
• Council has received a letter from the Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Barnaby Joyce MP, advising of $1.5 million being committed to the project.
• Council hopes to have a letter within the next week confirming the funding agreement with the Federal Government.
• The next steps for this process, if funding is received, is to enter into the procurement and tender phase, which will then be voted on by Council.
• No firm dates can be given for this project, however the overall goal once all agreements are in place, is to achieve the dredging in the dry season.
Community Project Updates:
• Cardwell Pump Track:
At the next Local Government Meeting (Thursday 25 February), Council will review all tenders for the Cardwell Pump Track. The Pump Track is fully funded by the State Government and will be built on Brasenose Street, and include an new carpark, upgraded parking facilities and a dual lane, figure of eight pump track facility. This project is part of the overall Cardwell Mountain Bike Project and is a great start to launching Cardwell as a mountain bike destination. Council would like to thank and acknowledge the Community and the Traditional Owners for really driving action behind this project.
• Brasenose Street and Balliol Street:
Asphalt for both these projects has been rescheduled to Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 of February, pending weather and staff availability (Council is currently experiencing a staff shortage due to COVID-19). Linemarkings for these projects will occur towards the end of the month. The tactile ground surface indictors will soon be installed at the bus shelter.
• Disability Access
Improvement Project: Works for the Disability Access Improvement Project is due to commence shortly, with survey work occurring within the next week, pending weather conditions.
One Coast Survey
The Cassowary Coast Regional Council will shortly be launching an independent survey to collect and collate feedback from all residents living on the Cassowary Coast.
The aim of the survey is to build an understanding of how the community perceives Council and gain insights into what projects are important within each locality. The survey will assist Council in refocusing our priorities and aims to lift our level of service which we provide each year.
Community Questions:
During question time, the Cardwell Community had an opportunity to voice their concerns and provide constructive feedback to Council. Along with many questions in regards the Normalisation of Port Hinchinbrook and the dredging of One Mile Creek, several community issues were also raised such as:
-Bowen Street and the lack of maintenance the street has received; -Lack of bike racks throughout the community, including on the foreshore,
-Street lights within Port Hinchinbrook; and
-The current state of the Cardwell Transfer Station.
With five Councillors present in the room, all these issues raised have been taken on notice and will be discussed as Council moves into planning for the 2022/23 Annual Budget.
