Federal funding could pave way for splash park

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

Email Howard
Last updated:
Council is investigating funding for projects such as a Port Douglas pool and splash park. Image: Ian D. Keating.

Douglas Shire Council is currently reviewing projects on the 10-year capital works plan to see if they meet eligibility and requirements for the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Funding Round, according to Mayor Michael Kerr.

And Council is looking at projects such as a Port Douglas pool and splash park, which could benefit from this funding.

The $1.04 billion Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) supports the Australian Government’s commitment to:

  • Driving economic growth; and
  • Building stronger regional communities into the future.

“As always, Council intends to benefit from these funding rounds to help build capital projects for the community, and the Shire has previously been very successful in receiving grant funding.

“We are looking at projects such as a Port Douglas pool and splash park, as well as other tourism and sporting infrastructure that are shovel-ready and may meet the eligibility,” said Kerr.

In November last year, Newsport reported that Port Douglas is another step closer to having its own splash park and public pool built after Council agreed to tip $465,000 into developing concepts, designs, and a masterplan during a 2020/21 Annual Budget Review.

This followed Council’s recent online survey which asked residents their opinion on a splash park and pool.

More than 600 people completed the survey with about 87 per cent of respondents believing a splash park was needed, while 68 per cent supported building a public pool.

For Round Five of the Building Better Regions Fund, there is a total of $200 million available, with $100 million dedicated to tourism-related infrastructure projects.

The Infrastructure Projects Stream supports projects that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

The projects can be either construction of new infrastructure or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure. The Infrastructure Projects Stream only supports investment-ready projects.

Thank you!

Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.

Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.

* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.