Media Release

FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has called a public meeting in Cardwell to address delays in the rebuilding of tourism infrastructure that is pivotal to the survival of areas devastated by severe tropical cyclone Yasi.

Mr Katter yesterday wrote to residents to urge them to join him at the June 2 meeting (from 2pm at the Cardwell Coast Guard) to discuss options to rebuild Port Hinchinbrook.

It follows Mr Katter’s plea to the Prime Minister last week during Parliament to "intervene in the impasse that is destroying the economies of Cardwell, Mission Beach and most of the Paradise Coast".

Mr Katter asked the Prime Minister during Question Time to address the log-jams that, almost 1½ years since Yasi, had resulted in still no reconstruction of the key Barrier Reef, Dunk and Bedarra Islands accesses at Mission Beach and Port Hinchinbrook.

"Delays in reconstructing these accesses are destroying the economies of Mission Beach, Cardwell and other townships along the Paradise Coast," he said.

"World-class resorts have closed on the brink of bankruptcy, unable to face the reconstruction and rising insurance costs, and unable to attract tourist dollars, because of the lack of access to the reef and islands.

"Other businesses reliant on tourist dollars have closed shop or are desperately struggling to keep their heads above water, as temporary reconstruction jobs have now vanished.

"The proposed reconstruction of the Mission Beach jetty is tantamount to trash-canning $3 million – a jetty is unable to withstand cyclonic winds; which is why it was destroyed in the first place. A breakwater is needed to provide permanent access and encourage long-term re-investment in the area.

"Arrangements at Port Hinchinbrook make it impossible to ever be cleaned up or become operational. Dredging of the silt build-up is desperately required."

Mr Katter has also previously called for an inquiry into the administration and allocation of cyclone recovery monies after it was revealed that one year after Yasi, only about 10 per cent of public infrastructure repairs had been completed for an estimated $800m of damage in the hardest-hit areas.

"We will continue to work with the Prime Minister to ensure the needs of the community are met and we can fully recover from the devastation of Yasi," said Mr Katter.