General News
1 September, 2026
Port upgrade cranks up
THE next stage of the revitalisation of Port Hinchinbrook involves finalising the search for a dredging contractor.
Market sounding and early market engagement closed on 17 July, with Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) receiving responses from many suitably-qualified dredging contractors and local suppliers.
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said EDQ was now out to market on the early contractor involvement tender process with the bids closing on 28 August 2026.
“Getting Port Hinchinbrook moving again was a commitment I made to this community and it’s good to see us reaching another important step,” he said.
“We now have multiple suitably qualified contractors expressing interest in the dredging work and are moving into the next stage of the process.
“There is still work to be done before dredging can begin, but these are the steps that need to happen to get us there, and I’ll continue to keep the community updated as the project progresses.”
Initial environmental and geotechnical investigations have also commenced and will help inform the civil engineering methodology for works on Lot 170.
EDQ staff have met Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation officers to discuss environmental approval requirements and will continue working with the department throughout the approval process.
Discussions have also continued with Cassowary Coast Regional Council to coordinate works and approvals throughout project delivery.
While final numbers are still being worked out, the upcoming scope of the job is substantial, expected to involve dredging between 400,000 to 800,000 cubic metres of material from the marina and connected waterways, including Stony (One Mile) Creek.
The project also involves preparation of onshore bunds to contain the dredging spoil, civil works and sediment treatment.
The state government for the first time revealed the expected expenditure on the Port Hinchinbrook revitalisation project in its 2026-27 budget – $64 million over two years, mainly for the dredging and associated works and “to restore safe navigability, address longstanding environmental liabilities and enable activation of the Port Hinchinbrook provisional priority development area”.
EDQ previously told The Observer it is restoring the 140-hectare site “to ensure long-term economic benefits for the broader Cardwell and Cassowary Coast region.”
Although the state has taken over responsibility for the costs of dredging, EDQ said it “continues to work closely with Cassowary Coast Regional Council, government agencies, industry and other stakeholders to coordinate planning and future works”.
Read More: Cassowary Coast