QUEENSLAND'S GERMAN CONNECTIONS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

“Never hold an inquiry unless you know what the outcome will be.”

The following year, Russ Hinze was elected as a local Councillor in the Albert Shire Council, a position he held until 1966, the last nine years as Chairman. He proved to be a forceful and able administrator during a time of rapid development in a region which included both a large traditional rural base and the rapidly growing western fringes of the Gold Coast. In 1966 he took his seat in the state parliament as the Country Party member for South Coast. He sat on the backbench, but in 1974 he was elevated to the Cabinet and began a dynamic and sometimes controversial career in several ministries. From 1974 to 1987 he was Minister for Main Roads and Local Government, in 1980 adding the portfolio of Racing. For three years from 1980 to 1982 he was also Minister for Police. Holding four major portfolios at the same time, he was dubbed by the media as “the Minister for Everything”. Despite the vast workload and the constant public criticism of his methods and public statements, he was recognised by the public servants and bureaucrats who were responsible to him as hard-working, astute, and a very capable administrator with a clear understanding of each of his areas of responsibility. The combination of energy, ability and portfolios ensured he left a large legacy, pioneering canal estate development, revitalising the economies and tourist industries of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. He was a key figure, together with Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen and Treasurer Dr Llew Edwards, in securing, planning and launching Expo’88. He was instrumental in implementing forward- looking expansion of road networks throughout the state, including the Riverside Expressway, Southeast Freeway and Gateway Bridge (now duplicated as the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges per the original plan) in the fast-growing capital. Russ was responsible for the transformation of Queensland’s racing industry into a booming, dynamic enterprise, marked by new and improved racetrack and racecourse facilities, generating record racing attendances.

Acting on behalf of Premier Bjelke-Petersen and his government he worked with Federal Transport Minister Peter Nixon to promote drafting of plans for indigenous self-government through local government structures. He was not slow to express his strong views on public issues, nor in taking firm ministerial action if he deemed it necessary, an approach which generated public support and opposition in equal measure, some of the latter quite bitter. Large in physique, he was a popular butt of the humour of journalists and political cartoonists, but could give as good as he got. Privately, he was a keen owner of racehorses and included many notable trotters and gallopers in his stable. He engaged in land development across the Gold Coast and in 1975 his property at Oxenford was among the first to be sub-divided and developed as a residential area in the western spread of the coastal city. The Russell Hinze Park near the original home preserves the family link to the big man of Queensland politics who passed away in June 1991.

Background: The tranquil waters of the Hinze Dam before the completion of Stage 3 in December 2011, which raised the height of the dam wall (above) by almost 15m (50ft), doubling its capacity to 310,730 megalitres across a surface area of 9.7km 2 (3.7mi 2 ) and saw the fishing improved with the addition of Mary River cod, bass, and silver and golden perch to the natural stocks of spangled perch.

Below: The peaceful surrounds of the wildlife reserve on the Tamborine-Oxenford Road in the Gold Coast hinterland, and (right) a closeup of the dedication plaque affixed to the rough cairn. Images by MonumentAustralia.org.au

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