SHAMBOLIC: Councillor given marching orders, Mayor denies split Council, Daintree Ferry stays in Bermuda Triangle language pit

In what can only be described as shambolic scenes a Councillor was given a leave directive, the Mayor denied he’s leading a split council and a key motion involving the potential future of the Council owned Daintree Ferry was again stifled by legal bureaucracy and convoluted, complicated Council speak at today’s explosive Douglas Shire Ordinary meeting.

In front of a packed public gallery Cr Roy Zammataro’s attempt to put forward a Notice of Motion about the Daintree Ferry was again denied, a month after his rescinded May motion was also halted by Mayor Michael Kerr.

Just hours ago at today’s meeting Cr Zammataro put forward a new Notice of Motion that among other things moved that “Council invite expressions of interest from private enterprise to own and operate the Daintree River Ferry”.

“Today the resolution that was put up, was to temporarily suspend a resolution, you can’t temporarily suspend a resolution, it was approved by the Council last time, so it’s now a fixed part of council, so how do you temporarily suspend something that’s fixed by the Council?.”

That decision led Cr Zammataro to tell Cr Kerr clearly and directly: “You can’t keep avoiding the motion” and “What happened to transparency in Douglas Shire Council?”.

Mr Zammataro questioned Cr Kerr’s perceived Daintree Ferry stalling tactics after the meeting.

“The whole of Cr Kerr’s election campaign premise was (to advocate for) transparency, (because he indicated) the previous Council (according to him, wasn’t transparent) well… this is not displaying transparency in any way, shape or form.

“My job is to do what’s best for the ratepayer, my motion (about the ferry) is not to take it away completely, it’s just about seeking expressions of interest…(for a new ferry) the expense of ratepayers (since Council’s acquisition) has been millions and millions of dollars so far.

“The community isn’t stupid… this has created a monster for Michael. I think he believes if he keeps pulling the cover over his eyes the monster will go away.”

The public gallery was left stunned moments later when a heated discussion between Cr Kerr and Cr Noli, about the Council adopting a media policy led the Mayor to request she immediately leave the meeting and Council chambers.

The back and fourth continued as the meeting closed.

Splash park

In the meantime a motion “to note the public confirming Jalunbu Park as the preferred location for a splash park" was carried 4-1.

Council’s public consultation feedback concluded 44% of respondents selected Jalunbu Park as the preferred location for the future splash park build, while Reynolds Park returned 24% of the vote.

In a further development 61% of respondents also indicated they want a free form lagoon instead of a 50-metre pool.

A further 46% of those who offered their feedback want the splash park and lagoon to be located next to each other.

In its information brochure released on its website a few months ago, Council indicated the splash park would have an approximate capital cost of $1.2M and an annual operating cost of $110,000, with a 0.3% impact on rates.

The brochure also said entry to any future splash park in Port Douglas would be free, however when Newsport recently put this question again to Cr Kerr, he declined to 100% confirm entry would be free to a Douglas splash park.

The same public consultation brochure available on Council’s website said any future lagoon in Port Douglas would have an approximate $25M capital cost, be around $2M annually to operate, and have a 5.3% impact on Douglas Shire rates.

After the meeting closed Newsport asked Mr Kerr if he’s leading a split and divided Council and Councillors which have no faith or confidence in him - to which he responded: “We saw divided points today, these are contentious issues; I knew before I walked into the room it was going to be a contentious day.”