Local elections looming most pivotal in Douglas Shire history

DOUGLAS DECIDES 24'

Michael Warren

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Bill Allison and Roy Zammataro on the hustings this morning in Mossman. Picture: Michael Warren
The local Government elections will be held next Saturday. Picture: Michael Warren

After months of debate, discussion and campaigning the Douglas Shire is just days away from taking a momentous step forward and a leap into a much needed, fresh era when a new Mayor and set of Councillors are elected at next Saturday’s local Government elections.

Just days ago all candidates pressed their final claims at a public election forum jointly hosted by Newsport and Douglas Chamber of Commerce in Mossman.

There, in front of more than 100 Douglas Shire residents Mayoral candidates, Lisa Scomazzon, David Haratsis and Stacy Wilkinson, through written statements and questions from the floor, put forward their cases to land the top job inside the chamber.

Several days ago Newsport ran a week-long public poll to gauge Douglas Shire voting sentiment.

If there wasn’t already enough interest in what looms as the most pivotal elections in Douglas Shire history, the Mayoral poll returned a staggering 1423 votes, with Lisa Scomazzon gaining the most votes with (867) votes Followed by David Haratsis (448) and Stacy Wilkinson (108).

The preferred Councillor poll returned 1701 votes with Roy Zammataro, Michael Joseph Rees, Abigail Noli finishing in the first three spots in front of Bill Allison and Damian Meadows.

Next Saturday's local Government elections is widely acknowledged across the Shire as the most important in local history.

The two natural disasters in ex- tropical cyclone Jasper and the ensuing Mossman flood/rainfall events, the ongoing Douglas Shire national water disgrace, the Noah Range fiasco and the future of the Daintree Ferry are just some issues the new Mayor and Councillors will need to immediately address when the new group sits down for its inaugural Ordinary meeting.

Pre-polling has already begun in the Shire with some residents taking the chance to get in early and lodge their votes for their preferred Mayor and Councillor candidates at the Mossman and Port Douglas booths.

You can lodge your votes at Mossman Shire Community Hall, 6 Mill Street, Mossman and Port Douglas Community Hall, 13 - 29 Mowbray Street, Port Douglas.