Anthony Albanese, Greg Williamson launch River Revitalisation Project

Protesters from two environmental groups descended on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his quick visit to launch a $10 million project.DETAILS

Anthony Albanese came to town to launch the River Revitalisation project with mayor Greg Williamson and Senator Nita Green. Picture:Michaela Harlow

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stop-over in Mackay to officially launch the much hyped $10m River Revitalisation Project was not welcomed by all locals.

A collaborative effort between all levels of government, the project is a business, housing and community undertaking to “open up” the Pioneer River for everyone to enjoy by providing new amenities and attracting new developers.

Almost half of the projects funding, $4.1m, was secured by returning Mackay regional councillor George Christensen, before stepping down from his position as federal MP for Dawson.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is on his way to Papua New Guinea to walk the Kokoda trail.

Several Mackay regional councillors joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the launch of the Pioneer River Revitalisation Project. Photo: Michaela Harlow

“It’s a beautiful blue river here in Mackay,” Mr Albanese said at Blue Water Quay on April 22.

“It’s one of only two blue water rivers on the eastern seaboard,” Mackay mayor Greg Williamson added.

“Celebrating this river is a great stake in the ground for liveability and tourism in our region.”

So far the rejuvenation of the Mackay riverfront has seen the introduction of a Red Dog Brewery outlet to Blue Water Quay, the demolition of the former Maria’s Donkey at 8 River St and the eviction of workers from Paxton’s Fish Market.

Demonstrating how tourism businesses can benefit from the new riverside infrastructure was a Wildcat Vessel, moored to one of the central pontoons near Blue Water Quay.

Wildcat operates tours to the Mackay Islands and Great Barrier Reef and usually departs from the harbour, but not for much longer as the pontoon might become a regular haunt for tourism businesses.

Senator Nita Green said the pontoon was a fantastic opportunity to show off what could be achieved when all three levels of government worked together and supported local industry.

“Greg and his team have done a fantastic job over the last couple of years,” she said.

Mandy Tenant from Crediton, a leader in the Save Eungella movement who had previously protested at a Town Hall with Premier Steven Miles, joined her committee on the banks of the Pioneer to make their voices heard to the Prime Minister. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Two environmental advocacy groups, Save Eungella and Central Queensland Collective, used Mr Albanese’s visit to protest the pumped hydro project.

One of the protesters held a ‘Dam the dam!’ sign and another protester yelled “Not here Albo!” from the banks.

When asked about the pumped hydro project, Mr Albanese said, “the Commonwealth as yet have not received an application”.

“If we do there’ll be a proper environmental assessment and community consultation,” he said.

Anthony Albanese and Senator Nita Green make a brief stop in Mackay to launch the River Revitalisation Project with Mayor Greg Williamson. Monday 22 April 2024. Picture: Michaela Harlow

The Prime Minister has made assurances that there will be transparency between the public and the state government, but was unable to clarify if the report handed down mid-year would be made available to Queenslanders.

“This is an exciting project,” he said.

Mr Albanese has said previously that Queensland Hydro met with officials at the federal level, but that there had been “no formal proposal for federal funding”.

Another person unhappy with Mr Albanese was councillor Martin Bella, who posted an allegation on his Facebook that a group of disabled fishers had been moved on so the Prime Minister could use the space.

He also said that “300 metres down the riverbank are 50 people sleeping rough.”

“What has our society become?”

Not blind to the issue of homelessness, the PM said the government is “investing massively into housing”.

“Through our Housing Australia Future Fund, social housing accelerator, through our negotiations over the housing, we aim to manage homelessness at the Commonwealth, state and territory level,” he said.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese, Greg Williamson launch River Revitalisation Project