SLOW PROCESS: No construction on Port Douglas splash park until at least "mid-2024"
LATEST
The Douglas shire community will need to continue to demonstrate extreme patience with the first sod for the much-awaited splash park not due to be turned for the project until at least “mid-2024”.
As is stands Council confirmed “(it) will shortly release a tender for the design of a zero-depth (Port Douglas) splash park to the market”.
On the public information brochure it disseminated during this year’s February 17 to March 3 public consultation period Council said it was committed to delivering a splash park by May 2024.
In the same brochure released on the Council 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 a number of months ago he declined to 100% confirm entry would be free.
Meantime, works continue on Mossman’s splash park with Council telling Newsport “the splash park at Mossman is nearing completion (and) it is anticipated being open for summer”.
Council confirmed entry to Mossman pool will include access to the splash park.
Lastly, there is no definitive timeframe as to when Douglas Shire residents might be able to enjoy their very own Cairns style, public lagoon.
“No Port Douglas Lagoon is confirmed at this time,” Mayor Michael Kerr told Newsport.
“The design for the Port Douglas splash park will consider future opportunities for an immersion water facility (either pool or lagoon) at the same location as part of its scope.
“This will be used to inform future decisions.”
Council’s consultation brochure 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.
Council said, if built the lagoon would be unfenced and lifeguards would be required to supervise swimmers at the facility.
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.