Additional funding for cyclone damaged Shute Harbour

Shute Harbour is being transformed followed Cyclone Debbie damage, and it’s good to see that an additional $10 million has been allocated to get the job done properly.

Assistance is provided under Category D of the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

The Whitsunday Regional Council will also contribute $18.3 million for the restoration.

Shute Harbour is one of the main gateways to the Whitsundays for both tourists and island workers. This project will improve the Harbour’s overall structural stability, making it more resilient against future weather events.

It will also be a welcome boost to the local economy which has only just found its feet again in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the damages and the challenging location meant restoration work would be more complex than first thought.

“This will restore the harbor to its former glory so it can bring in more tourists boosting the local
economy,” Minister Littleproud said.

“While work is being done there will be jobs for tradies and business for local suppliers.

“The sea wall, buildings, pontoons and gangways were heavily damaged, so we’ll build a tougher
harbour for the next time a cyclone hits.”

The works will include demolition of the damaged infrastructure, reconstruction and raising the height of the seawall, raising the level of the car park, construction of a new floating pontoon and reconstruction of the terminal, fuel facility and other land-based facilities.