Dametto shares his vision
A BOOMING regional economy powered by multiple innovative industries.
This is the vision of Hinchinbrook put forward by MP Nick Dametto if Katter’s Australian Party holds the balance of power after the state election.
Mr Dametto said the Brisbane-based major parties had “held back” Hinchinbrook for too long.
“Parts of Hinchinbrook are in a population decline, but this can all be turned around by tweaking policy and investment to best suit our patch of paradise,” he said.
“The full realisation of projects and policies I want to implement will help transform Hinchinbrook’s economy, build new industries and improve living standards.”
The KAP politician has long been a proponent of all-tidal marine access in Cardwell, Lucinda and Forrest Beach, saying the projects would boost tourism and the local economy and create jobs.
“Visitors would flock to experience the Paluma to Wallaman Falls eco-trail and Cardwell’s mountain bike trails, allowing local businesses to capitalise on increased drive-through traffic that would encourage longer stays in the region.”
Mr Dametto said crop diversification through rotational cropping would be beneficial to agribusiness.
He said to realise this, grain silos for storage and supply chains would need to be established.
“Additionally, the repeal of Labor’s draconian Reef regulations and vegetation management laws will set our farmers free from destructive green tape,” he said.
“The North Queensland Bio Energy mill will help diversify our region’s sugar milling sector with the ability to produce baseload dispatchable power for the national electricity market, as well as capitalise on the biofuels and plastic industry.”
The incumbent said power prices would be slashed under the KAP’S plan to “reduce unnecessary fees and charges like banning energy network owners from overvaluing their assets to inflate their returns and stopping the ‘gold plating’ of poles and wires”.
He said insurance premiums would become affordable again with the establishment of a national fund to help underwrite the risk for those wishing to insure against natural disasters.
Mr Dametto said for the first time ever, patients in the Herbert River District would have access to a renal unit, CT scanner and a new-look emergency department at Ingham Hospital.
“Residents would be safer in the community as crime rates drop thanks to the implementation of the KAP’S relocation sentencing policy, which will reform young offenders at a remote location near Mt Isa,” he said.
“Relocation sentencing will make our community safer by getting these young offenders out of town and giving them an opportunity to reform under a program designed to break the cycle of reoffending.
“Under the KAP’S vision, we can accelerate Hinchinbrook and unlock our ... true potential.”